f LUCJ< Complete Stories of Adventure Issued Weekly-By Subsc 1'iption $2.50 pe1 year. Ente1ed as Second Class Matter at the New York, N. Y.,. Post Office. Entered accordina to Act of Congress in the year 1899, in the ojfice of Librarian of Cong1ess, Washmgton, D. G., by Frank 1'ousey, 24 Unum Square, New York. No. 64. NEW YORK, August 23, 1899. Price 5 Cents. A:. POOR IRISH 130Y: OR, FIGHTING HIS OWN WAY. BY CORP. MORGAN RATTLER. CHAPTER I. HAIL TO COLUMBIA.. .. I which produced more than double enough o! nourishing food to supply the entire population. ,, Many of the boys and girls who will read these adventures of a poor Irish boy will scarcely believe him when he tells them that he never ate meat in Ireland except at Christmas Can I ever forget that bright May morning when I stood on and Easter times, and b:is father and mother could tell the e deck of the emigrant ship, and caught a first good glimpse same truthful story. f America? However, I wouldn't trouble you about such things now only "Oh, how light was my heart as we sailed up through the to show you that I had good reason to be proud and happy on arrows toward the city of New York, while I kept gazing on the day I first landed in America, although I had my own e green fields and pleasant-looking villages on Staten Island, heart-aches and struggles, and a terrible up-hill fight there,, I said to myself: after. Sure, and it is a fine country entirely, and I know there My father was a strong, able, tall man, of forty, with plenty 1 be no _more and misery for us all." i of sound sense, for one so ignorant, and he was not !ow I did gaze m wonder on the countless masts above m I at all afraid of hard work harbor, on the almost numberless buildings of the great I did hear that he was a very passionate man in his early and on the steamboats plying to and fro on the rivers and J days, and .that he got into a bad scrape on account of his tem the bay, while I again muttered to myself in rapture: 'per; but however that may have been he was always warning } rsurely this must be the greatest country in all the world, me about giving way to passion, and so was my good mother it is no wonder that the people in it should fight so brave-as well. to drive the English tyrants out." That mother was one of the kindest and gentlest creatures Although I was only a poor ignorant Irish greenhorn of that ever came from old Ireland, and my little sister Mary was \ hirteen at the time, I had heard enough about the history of just like her. !\.merica to know that the brave people had a long struggle for It was said that I took after my father, as I would have been reedom, and the names of such great men as Washington, quick-tempered enough only for the warnings and the lectures ackson and Franklin were familjar enough even in the cabI got, and they did serve to curb me a good deal. ns of .Ireland. "Well, we were landed safely at the big Castle Garden, and Yes. I was very ignorant and very green, indeed, as I could my wonder kept on increasing at the strange people I saw arely read very simple words of one or two syllables, and I there from other parts of the world, and they jabbering away ad not attempted writing good or bad. in such outlandish tongues. My father was only a poor laborer ii:i Ireland, and goodness As we had no friends or near relatives 'to go to we put up only knows how he raised money enough to bring us to Amer-at a poor lodging house in Greenwich street, near the Battery, ca, as I am certain that he did not have a dollar in his pock-and I remember that my mother sold some blankets to pay for t when we landed at the Castle Garden on that fine May day our night's supper and lodging. s o many years ago. Poor as we were we were all happy enough, as my father There was my mother and my little sister Mary, who was a knew that he would soon get plenty of work and good pay, and right little girl of eleven at the time, as well as myself, and I was hopeful of being able to find something to do also. was a pretty strong, rough lad of thirteen, with nothing that Early on the following morning I strolled out alone into the could boast of except was a great appetite. Battery, but I didn't go far before I found a lot of little rascals well-fed boys of America will scarcely believe that running after me and crying: here were hundreds and thousands of little fellows in Ireland "Will you look at the little greenhorn, fellers? I say, Pad-ho were hungry all the year round, and that too in a country dy, how many ships brought you over?"

PAGE 3

2 A POOR IRISH BOY The little rogues said a great deal more to me besides, and they kept pelting me with old potatoes and mud, but I kept on my way as if not pretending to mind them, thinking of my father's and. mother's advice, and fearing to get into a row on my first morning in the fair land of America. I suppose "greenhorn" must have been written on every 1'ea ture of my face and in the ragged clothes I wore, as every boy and girl I met called me either "Paddy" or "Mick" as loud as they could, and they kept on pelting me until I was almost bursting with passion. i kept my temper, however, as well as I could, and strolled down to the edge of the water to feast my eyes on the great ships and steamboats passing in and out, hile I said to my self: "I wonder what they are making fun of me for at all, the little rogues, for they act to me as if I was some wild aminal." The words had scarcely passed in my mind when an ugly black rogue, a good deal bigger than myself, with a small box flung over his shoulder, made a dart at me and tore the old cap from my head as he cried: Can you swim, Pat?" I looked at the rasca;l for a moment or two, and my temper was rising a little as I said to him: "I'd have you to know, bad cess to you that my name isn't Pat at all, for it is Dinnis." The rogue before me and three or four others like him burst out laughing at this and then one of them cried: "Did you twig him, fellers? His name is Dinnis. Make him swim out, Jim." The big fellow who held my old cap then flung it out into the water, as he cried: "If your name is Dinnis swim out after your hat." When I saw my poor cap floating away out with the tide, every drop of blood in my body began to boil, and I sprang at the big fellow with the box as I cried: "You thief of the world, I'll send your caubeen after it in a jiffy." I did manage to give the feilow a good box in the face with one hand while I grabbed his hat with the other. He let fly back at me in fine style, and he sent me flat on the ground as he cried: "Give me 11p my hat or I'll knock the very life out of you." I held the old hat tight in my hand, and as I sprang to my feet again I flung it out into the water as far as I could, as I cried: "I'll swim after my own hat, but may the mischief take me if I'll bring yours back at all." The tide was in at the time, and the water was deep enough, but that didn't trouble me, as I had l earned to swim in the old river in Ireland, and away I struc k out after my old cap. Then such yelling fell on my ears as I never h eard before, as a lot of the roguish boys and other people gathered abov e on the side of the water, while one of the young rogues cried out louder than the rest: "His name is Dinnis, and he is taking a swim after his old hat." Whether it was that the water was strange to me or that I was weak from not having anything to eat that morning, I couldn't tell, but I do know that I was soon as faint as a dy ing cat, and I gasped for breath before I sank into the deep water. The next thing I knew I found myself lying at the bottom of a boat and a big man over me holding a bottle of whisity to my mouth as he said: "He is coming around now. but he had a close shave of it. Thunder! will you look how he grabs the old hat so tight yet?" Sure enough, I had my own old cap tight in my right hand, and when I recovered my senses enough I clapped it on my head as I said to the man above me: "Thank you, kindly, sir, for dragging me out of the water and for giving me the whisky; but oh, it was very pleasant in there for all." I didn't know then that I was near drowning, and that the pleasant feeling that came over me was the sensation felt by people when dying in that manner. I .When the boat touched land again a big policeman caught my shoulder.and shook me in a very rough manner as he said to me: "What did you want to go in to swim there for, you thun-dering greenhorn?' \ "It was after my old cap I went," said I, "but the mischief take me if I caught the other rogue's." Just then a bright little lady about my sister Mary's age ran up to me and put something into my hand as she said to the policeman: "I saw it all officer and it wasn' t his fault. Those Italian bootblacks abused him dreadfully, and one of thelll! t!ung his hat over." Come here, you, Edna," cried a shrill voi c e as a tall lady1 with a sallow face sprang at the little girl and dragged her away. The policeman then asked me my name, and where I lived and all about me, and of course I answered him, like the hon est boy that I was. He then took me to the lodging-house, where my father and mother and sister were waiting for me in great glee My father had just hired himself to a contractor to go to work on a railroad some fifty miles from the !]ity, and we were all to start up that very day. On opening my fist after the policeman left us, what should I find there but a new silver dollar, and then I knew that it was the nice little lady who put it into my hand when she told the policeman that I wasn't to blame for going into the water. Although I must say that I was a little ashamed of having taken the money from the little lady, it was a great godsend at the time, and as I held it up in my hand I said t<> my mother. "It was a little angel who gave me that, and I only pray that I may live to see the day that I may be able to do her some service in return for it." I don't know how my father managed to get us all up to the village of Middleville, near where the railroad was being built, but I do know that in two or three days after we were settled there in a little cabin, and he was working away as happy as possible. As I was a stout lad for my age at the time, aI1d pretty tall as I looked around the village for something to do, but it wasn't easy for a poor little greenhorn to get employment, as I was not able to take a man's place on the railroad. My sister Mary soon went to a small s c hool in the village, while I turned to and worked at digging and cultivating a small patch of ground at the bac k of the cabin. My mother could read a little, and Mary was not long at s c hool before she commenced to give me instructions ip. spell ing and reading. After some time I became able to read books and newspa pers, and then I discovered that I had a great taste n that way, as I would devour everything in the shape of news, his tory and poetry that came in my way. My father's wages enabled us live very comfortable in deed for people who were not to the luxuries of life and a year went by in our new home as happily as pos Sible During that time I managed to get some odd jobs from the people in the village and the farmers in the neighborhood, and I could have got a place to live out altogether only that I hated to leave my humble home and the dear ones who wera so fond of me. In addition of being fond of history and poetry, I also de lighted in reading about the great men of America who had risen to wealth and fame from being poor boys like myself, and I often wondered if it would ever be my fortune to make

PAGE 4

A POOR IRISH BOY. 3 When I was sixteen years of age, I was a very poor scholar I a successful fight in the battle of life, and become like one of them. I read about Frinklin who was once only a poor printers' boy, and who afterwards became honored by the great people of France when he went there as a representative from his own country. so far as school-books went, but I had a very good notion history, and of the news, and of the great men of the day, while ambition to become rich and famous was growing stronger and stronger. I read about the poor Irish peddler who carried his pack around on his back for years, and who afterward worked his way up until he became the greatest dry goods merchant in New York city, and built stores on Broadway that were actual ly marble palaces in themselves. Then I thought about the presidents and statesmen who were only tailors, and rail-sp,itters and poor mechanics in their young days, and I woqld say to myself: "Sure we have all the same chance in this fine country if we are only true, and honest, and steadfast, and why shouldn't I fight my way up well as they did? The great General Jackson, who beat the English at New Orleans, was only the son o! a poor Irish emigrant like myself, and if I have patience and courage, I may make my mark in this great country also." In all those bright dreams of youth, and even passing through the desperate struggles of life thereafter, I always blessed my !or having found a refuge and a home in the land of freedom and plenty, and I must say that I never re gretted the hour when I stood on the deck of the emigrant vessel and exclaimed: "Hail to Columbia, the land of the free!" .. CHAPTER II. MY FIRST OPENING. After living a year in the country, the brogue on my tongue was as thick as the day I landed, an d I didn't attempt to P,ide it or improve it at all, as I had sense enough even then to know that I would only make myself more ridiculous by at tempting to give it a Yankee polish too soon. Nothing has ever been more sickening to me than the at tempts of Irish boys and girls at putting on the Yankee twang when they are only out here a short time, and if they only knew how ridiculous it appeared, and how they were laughed at by those they imitated, they would take full time in get ting rid of their accent. While the young people in the country village were not qufte as impudent as the young rogues in New York city, the boys in the village ridiculed me about my brogue often enough, and I almost became ashamed of my name when they would rail out after me, crying: I couldn't do a simple sum in division at that time, and I couldn't parse a single sentence in g>rammar, but I could tell you all about the great battles fought in the revolution and in the war of 1812, both on land and sea, and didn't I glory in such American heroes as Washington, Putnaip. Marion, Com modore Perry, and Paul Jones. I also took great pleasure in reading about the great lfattlefields of Europe, and of the victories of the great Napoleon; and when I thought of the wrongs of my own poor land I o!ten prayed that I might live to have a chance to strike a blow at the English tyrants. When I was about sixteen years of age I got a job as an errand boy in the leading grocery store of the village, and it was then it came home to me that I had wasted my time in reading stories and histories, when I should have been prac ticing at writing and at figures. When I was only a few days in the grocery store the boss asked me to add up some simple accounts, and I grew red with shame when I was compelled to admit that I didn't know enough about figures to do it. He wasn't a very harsh man, but he was provoked at me at the time, and he abused me soundly, calling !Ile an "igno rant Irish fool," and so on. When I went home that night the tears were in my eyes, and I told my mother all about the trouble, and she consoled me by saying: "It isn't too late to learn yet, Dennis, and Mary will tElach you all she knows." My gentle sister did commence with me that very night, and it was after twelve before we went to bed, while my head was fairly bursting with figures. Early on the following morning I was sent up to the acad emy outside the village with a load of groceries. I might as well confess just here that my three years' life in the country didn't put much polish on me and that I wa,.s still almost as rough in my accent and in my manners as I was on the day when I first landed at Castle Garden. My reading may have improved my mind and instilled me with patriotic hopes and worthy aspirations, yet "greenhorn" was still imprinted on my features, and it ca:ine out in almost every word I uttered. The Middleville Academy was a great institution in the neighborhood, as it was not only patronized by the richest people in the village, but it also contained about forty board ing scholars from the large towns around. "He's a Mick, but his name is Dinnis." As I drove up to the large building I saw a lot of "!Joys play-! did get out of once or twice, but I was very sorry ing ball out on the fine field, and I said to myself: for it afterward. "What a fine thing it is to be a scholar, and to live and get Once I had a fight with a chap about my own size, and I your schooling in such a grand house as that." while we were wrestling together he fell under me and broke While I was meditating, a voice behind me cried out: his right arm. "Catch it, Paddy." My father gave me an awful talking to that night, and the I knew that the boy was speaking to me, but I didn't know bo:it's jather was going to have me put in jail, but the brave what he meant at all, and the next thing I knew a hard ball lad himself swore that I 'wasn't to blame at all, and he struck me on the back of the head and knocked me sprawling wouldn't let them trouble P!e. over on the horse. I had good reason to know and to love that lad thereafter, I tell you, I saw stars for a moment or two as I rolled off The as he turned out to be the best male friend I ever had in my horse down on the ground, and I could hear shouts of laughter life for a stranger. from the bOY.S all over the field. So that you may not forget his name I will tell you that it I then picked myself up as well as I could, got up on the was Marcus Townsend, and he was the son of the richest man seat as soon as possible, and drove the horse on to deliver the in the village. load, while I could hear the boys crying: He was about three years older than myself, although he "Paddy is a regular muff!" wasn't much bigger than me when we first met. as he "Wouldn't he make a good short-stop!" hadn't commenced his full growth at that time. "His head is as hard as a nigger's!" Well, I kept on working at what I could find for two years My head was aching hard enough, but I never once looked more, and during that time I kept devouring all the books and J back at them, as I said to myself: papers I could lay my hands on. "I suppose I would be just as bad as them if I was one of

PAGE 5

4 A POOR IRfSH BOY. tthemselves but I would like to have a crack or two at the room, while the girl smiled in a playful manner, as she said in crogue who struck me with the ball." her sweet tones : As I was taking the things into the kitc h e n of the academy "This is the boy, father, and I am sure you will like him if a nice little young lady came out to the wagon and said to me: Did those cruel boys hurt your head much?" 1 I couldn't reply for the life of me, as it seemed to me that all rthe blood in my body rushed up to my head when I remember1ed the sweet face before me. E It was the nice little lady who gave me the silver dollar on the Battery thre e years before, and she was taller and more lady-like and far prettier than she was when she first ap peared to me like an angel. When I didn't answer her at once the young lady stamped 1 her foot impatiently as she said: "Why don t you answer me, sir? Did that nasty ball hurt you much?" "Not at all, miss, thank you," I stammered, dropping a box of tea on the ground at the same moment. The box fell on a big fl.ag, when it burst open and out we_nt 1 the tea in every direction. The young girl laughed at my mishap, and ran into the house, crying: "What a clumsy Irish fellow he is." I stooped down to pick up the tea, when a sharp, shrill voice fell on my ears from the window, crying: "Put that tea back in the wagon again, you clumsy Irish fool, and tell Mr Poole to send me up a fresh box by some onP else. Tell him also that I will not trade with him.any more if he sends you up here." I don't know how I managed to drive back to the store that day, as the boys hooted and fl.red the ball at me again on my return, in addition to my being burning all over with mor tification an
PAGE 6

A. POOR IRISH BOY. 5 That soft side was a dusky damsel of thirty-five who was the who owned a hat factory at the end of the village, who waF head cook in the establishment, and who had hitherto regard noted for running down everything American, and who wat ed Ajax with great scorn. an intense hater of everything Irish as well. Although the big negro was fearfully down on the "low The son was very much like the father in his prejudices Irish," he soon declared that I was a good boy, and that he and as he was a big, strong fellow, and very handy with hh would knock the head off of any one who would dare to in fists, he was looked upon as the bully of the school. suit me. The big bully had often insulted and abused me, but as h My other friend was a big mastiff dog called Lightning, and was a head taller than me and a splendid boxer I didn't darE who was the terror of the wicked boys in the academy. turn on him. If the old saying is to be relied upon to the effect that dogs Besides, even if I was his match, my father and mother wen and children take to good-natured people, I must have been ever preaching humility to me and I knew myself that i1 gushing over with that quality, as I never met a dog or a child would never do for me to get a bad name by fighting with thl yet that I couldn't make friends with. boarders in the institution. Lightning was kept as a watch dog, as he was set loose I knew that I was in for it that night, but I didn't attempt around the premises after eleven at night, and woe be to the to call out, as I was almost stifled by the way in which they boy who would attempt to steal out of the building after' .that pressed the bag around my head as they dragged me away hour. from the stable. Before I was three days at the academy I found out that They then dragged me along down a path leading to a deep Professor James was a tyrant in discipline, that he was hated pond, and the next thing I knew I was flung into the mudd:>' by all the boys, and that he was a fearful task-master to those water, which was cold enough to make me shiver to the bone under him. on that chilly November night. He was a stern, overbearing, sullen man of very few words, I couldn't tell how long I was in when they dragged me out and no one could approach him on friendly terms except his again, but I do know that I was. nearly half drowned and young daughter. stifled with the bag on my head. Mrs. James was a fit mate for her husband, as she was I then heard the rush of several feet followed by cries of de harsh-spoken, severe, and even cruel also, in her treatment fiance and rage, and I could realize that a fight was going on of those under her, and from the very first day I could feel around me. that she had taken a particular dislike to me. It then occurred to me that some of the rival gang had Most of the boys treated me with great contempt and rude rushed to my assistance, but before they could effect my res ness, and many were the tricks played on me during the first cue Well Rogers and his crew flung me into the pond again. six months spent in the institution. As I had felt the sensation of drowning before, I knew what Professor James appeared to forget all about his promise of was coming on me then as my senses left me while I was pow giving me private instructions,. as none of the assistants offer erless to strike out, as the big bag was tied down over my ed to assist me in that way, but I did not despair, and I man-arms. aged to study a little, on retiring at night, in my little bed When I did recover and open my eyes, I found myself lying room over the stable. in my little bed over the stable with Marcus Townsend and Lightning was also attached to the big negro, who took him two or three other boys standing around me. around with him wherever he went. Marcus Townsend was the boy whose arm I had broken two One night Ajax went to the village to attend a negro dance, years before, and he had grown to be a fine fellow of over taking the dog with him, and I was left alone in the room over eighteen, and one of the best scholars in the academy. the stable. Marcus was the leader of the village boys attending the The boys of the academy had neviir attempted to play any school, and he was also captain of the base ball club composed tricks on me during the night, as I was protected h:eretofore of Ms schoolmates who were only day scholars at the acad by Ajax and Lightning, and I did not apprehend any trouble emy. that night. When I fully recovered my senses, my rescuers asked me if Ajax always slept in the same room with me, and the big I knew who flung me into the pond, and I hesitated some mo dog would be with us when he was not set loose about the men ts before I answered:. premises. "How could I tell when they made a blind man's fool of me On the night in question I was seated at the table studying the minute they got me down-stairs." an arithmetic by the light of a small lamp when I heard Marcus Townsend then begged of me to report the affair to a knock at the door below. and then a voice called out: Professor James, but I refused, saying: "Am you up dar, Dennis?" "I had rather not be a tale bearer, sir; and whoever it was "To be sure I am," I cried, thinking that it was Susan, the who served me that trick I will be even with him some ol big fat cook, who was calling me. these days." "Missus wants you right off," cried the voice again. I didn't even tell Ajax about the affair, as I feared that he Dropping my book, I hastened down-stairs, little dreaming would take summary vengeance on Well Rogers, who was far of any mischief, but I had scarcely gained the door when a big from being a favorite with the big negro. bag was flung over my head and several rough hands were laid Three Qr four days passed away and I didn't say a wor
PAGE 7

A POOR IRISH BOY. and I fairly jumped for joy, flinging my cap in the air as I cried: "Hurrah for the boys o! the village, and Marcus Townsend "Did dat big loafer hurt you very much, Denny?" "Not very much, as I am all right now." "Is you able to walk, sonny?" forever!" "To be sure I am Ajax." 1 The words were scarcely out of my mouth when I got a box "You look mighty white about de gills, but yous better in the ear that sent me reeling sideways, while a rough vd'ice come an take a walk with dis chile." cried. 1 "Get out of here, you Irish beggar! What right has such f a flannel-mouth as you to come among young gentlemen?" It was Well Rogers who thus assailed me, and all the Irish blood in my body boiled at the moment as I thought of how 1 he had treated me, but I kept my temper as well as I could, and only replied: "I may not be a gentleman like you, but if I was your match or your equal you wouldn't dare to hit me that way." The big bully had a bat in his hand at the moment, and he 'sprang at me with a cry of rage as he yelled : 'Take that, you infernal Irish Mick!" The heavy bat caught me on the side of the head, while at the same moment a piercing voice from one of the windows in the academy rang out on my ear, crying: "Shame-shame, you great coward!" I didn't hear or know any more after that, as the blow given :me by the big bully knocked me senseless on the ground. CHAPTER IV. MY BRAVE YOUNG CHAMPION. The cowardly blow with the bat given me by Wellington .Rogers knocked me senseless for some instants, and when I did recover the bac k of my head was quite sore and numb, just as if I was paralyzed there. Some of the boys had raised me from the ground, and they were bathing my head with water as I stared around and mut tered aloud: "That was a false blow, and it was a great coward who gave it to me." "Cheer up, Denny," said one of the boys helping me, "as you wm be all right soon." Feeling a little ashamed of myself for giving way under one blow only, and hating to make what is called a s ce ne, I roused as well as I could, and looked around me as if in searcli for the one who had knocked me down. I then saw Well Rogers talking to Marcus Townsend in very .angry tones, and they were both surrounded by a lot of boys. At the same time I saw Professor James coming towards -us from the academy, and I hastened away to the stable, feel ing that I had no right to be out in the ball grounds at all at that time. I couldn't tell you how bad I felt as I sat down in the stable .and thought of the way in which I had been treated by Well jngton Rogers. The pain in the head was nothing to me, and it was going away very fast, but the load on my heart was heavy enough, and I groaned aloud: "Oh, can I bear it much longer, and must I always keep my temper down when imposed on by such rascals as that cow ardly Rogers. I was so indignant that the blood mounted to my face and T felt like suffocating, but I thought of my father and mother ,and cooled down a little as I said to myself: "If I ever want to get along in the world I must curb my temper, or maybe I would be tempted to kill one or two suf' fellows as that big bully; but don't I hope that I will be his qual and his match some day, and then won't I give it to .him." While I was thus ruminating and striving to curb my evil -passions, Ajax, the big negro, came into the stable and looked me with p itying eyes as he said to me in very gentle tones: As the kind-hearted negro spoke he seized me by the arm and raised me to my feet, while he continued: "Don't feel bad, Denny, as you'll be all right 'fore you is twice married." I was compelled to sigh a little as I replied: "I hope to be all right before morning. But where are you taking me to now?" Over to de kitchep first, and den down to the grove to see de mill." I stared up at the big negro as he led me over toward the kitchen, and asked: "Sure, and are they building a mill down in the grove with out me knowing it?" The big negro laughed heartily before he replied, in merry tones: "In course dey be. When Susan gibs you something good we'll go right down and see dem putting up dat mill." The negro laughed heartily again. Susan, the fat cook, did give me something very nourishing in the shape of a glass of good wine, and it put new life in me for the time. I had become somewhat of a favorite with the cook also, and she wanted to insist on me taking a second glass, but Ajax 1 took it out of her hands and drank it himself, chuckling mer rily as he said: "Too much is no good for de lad, and I drinks to your good health, Susan." Still holding me by the arm, Ajax led down toward the grove, and I could perceive that several boys from the academy were moving in the same direction in twos and threes. It was drawing to si'x o clock in the evening when we reached the grove, and I was looking around for the new mill a's I said to Ajax: "I don't see them putting up any building about here now, Ajax." The big negro grinned from ear to ear and pointed to a group of boys as he replied: "Dey are just agoin' to lay de foundation stone, Denny, and we'll just draw in here and see how dey will do it." He then drew me in under the trees, from whence we could see what the boys were doing without their being able to get a glimpse of us. I had s carcely taken my stand to watch the proceedings, when I turned to the big negro in great surprise, saying: "Why, Ajax, it Is going to fight they are, as I see Marcus 'l'ownsend and Wellington Rogers squaring off before each other." The big negro chuckled and grinned and cast a patronizing glance at me, as he replied: "Yous hit it, Denny. Dat's the mill dey am agoin' to put up, and no mistake." My heart rose to my mouth on the Instant, as I realized that Marcus Townsend was going to fight for my sake, and I said to the negro: "It isn't fair at all, Ajax, as I know that Mr. Townsend is go ing to fight for me, and I ought to be able to fight my own battles. I'll go out at once and stop it, and take the place b e fore the bully myself. The big negro grabbed me by the shoulder and shook me rather roughly, as he replied: "Don't be a blame fool, Denny. Yous ain' t big enough for dat big chump, but you may be one of dese days. Just keep still a n d watch de mill." I did keep still, but my heart was bursting the while, as I was afraid that Marcus Townsend was not a match for the b i g

PAGE 8

A POOR IRISH BOY. 7 bully, and that the brave and generous boy would get a bad When understood the situation. I said to the friendly beating for taking up my quarrel. negro: I couldn't attempt to describe the fight, as every pulse in my "Then I suppose it would be best for me to clear away at body was bounding as it went on, and I know full well that I once, Ajax." felt the big bully's blows more severely than Marcus Town My friend rubbed his woolly head and grinned ere he re-send did. plied: The two boys were about equally matched in height and "I spects you will have to do dat, Denny, but bust my boots :strength, but Wellington Rogers was the mischief at boxing, if I wouldn't stick on an' fight it out if I was you." .as his father had been giving him instructions in that science "Then I will stick on and fight it out, Ajax, as I have made -ever since he was a little fellow. up my mind to be a good scholar and make my way in the Oh, how my heart ached and how my blood did boil as I saw world." my brave champion getting knocked down over and over again, The kindly fellow clapped me on the back heartily as he re.and I would have sprung out several times only the big negro plied: held me fast, saying: "Dat's the talk, sonny." "Keep still, you blame fool, and I'll bet my boots dat Massa I was doing a power of thinking at the moment, and I Townsend will lick him yet." abruptly said: At that moment I saw Wellington Rogers giving my brave "I understand you are a great boxer entirely, me fine felfriend an awful blow that stretched him on the ground again, low." anp I couldn't stand it any longer. Ajax was tickled at the compliment, and he chuckled with Bursting away from the big negro I dashed out into the delight ere he replied: :fighting ground before Marcus Townsend could get up, and "I guess dis chile is some wid de gloves, Denny, and no mis I stood before young Rogers with my hands unlifted, as I cried take." out: ''I'll tell you what I will do with you then." ''ll have at you, you big Turk, and you won't kill Mr. "What am dat, sonny?" Townsend while I am to the fore." "If you will teach me how to box I'll show you how to read "Bully for Denny!" cried one of the boys. and write, and I'll make love to Susan for ye in the bargain." "He's no match for Rogers,' cried another. Ajax chuckled again and gave me a sly dig in the ribs as he The big bully scowled at me for a moment or so, and then cried: cried: "You's a smart rogue, Denny, if you is Irish. What's your "Didn't I give you enough before, you flannel-mouth Mick or do you want me to knock the hair off of your teeth now?" I was about to spring at the big bully as a I'eply, when I felt myself caught from behind and flung back, while a voice cried: "I am not half licked yet, Rogers. Stand aside, Denny Dris coll, and let fight this out." It was my own brave champion, Marcus Townsend, who thus faced his big opponent again, and at it they went, hammer and tongs, while the big negro caught me in his arms and put me up on his shoulder, as he cried: "You keep .still now, Denny, or I fling you ober de mill. I'll bet my boots dat Massa Townsend knocks de spots out ob him yet." The tide of the battle did change at the moment. I couldn't describe how Marcus Townsend turned the tide for the life of me, but I do know that he soon knocked the big bully silly. Then I sprang down from the big negro's shoulder, and I r--... ran to grab my champion's hands and I kissed them over and over again as I gasped forth: "May I live to see the day that I will be able to fight as bravely for you, Marcus Townsend, and may I never have a day's luck in this world if my heart or my hand fails me then." The boy5 on the side of my champion cheered him to the skies, while the big bully's friends brought him to as well as they could. I'll never forget the look that Well Rogers gave me and Marcus Townsend as he turned away with his friends, as h cried out: ''I'll fight you again, Mark Townsend, and as for that Irish Mick I'll make it hot for him, you can bet all you are worth." Ajax hurried me back to the stable, saying: "You just look out fur dat rascal, Denny, as he am a bad one for suah." The big negro was a sensible fellow, and he gave me some sound advice. He told me that old Rogers was a big man in the neighbor hood, and that he had influence enough to get his son off with out much punishment even if he had injured me severely. Ajax also informed me that old Rogers held a large mort gage on the academy, that he could foreclose any day, and that Professor James was therefore at his mercy. notion in being a boxer?" "To fight Well Rogers, of course, as I am bound to have it out with him some day as sure as I live and am half able." The big negro grabbed my hand and shook it warmly, as he replied: "Dat am a go; Denny. You just fix it wid Susan for dis chile, an' I'll post yous on de box, so dat you ken knock the spots out of young Rogers fore you is six months or a year older." The bargain was made then and there. I won't say that I neglected my other studies at the same time, as I had made up my mind to surprise some people in more ways than one. I afterward learned that Edna James saw Well Rogers striking me the wicked blow with the bat as she was watching us from the window, and that she wanted to have the cruel bully expelled from the academy, but she was kept in check hy her parents. In order to keep faith with Ajax, I commenced giving him instructions in reading and writing, but I must confess that I was not a good schoolmaster, as he did not make much prog/ ress. I had better success with Susan, however, as I managed to put in so many good words for my big dusky friend that the fat cook consented to become his wife at Christmas, and we had a great time at the wedding. You may be sure I didn't forget my brave champion either, and though I didn't have much chance to repay him, I was never tired of singing his praises at home and abroad. As the months rolled by my prospects didn't improve very much. I won't trouble you by telling you all I endured until spring set in again; but it may be well to know that Professor James and his wife worked me like a slave from day to day, and that Wellington Rogers sought every chance of insulting and abusing me. I didn't make any complaints to my father and mother, as they had trouble enough at home. My poor father was taken sick again in the winter, and only that he had a little saved for a rainy day it would have gone hard with them.' My good sister was out as a servant in the village, and she gave almost every cent she earned to my mother.

PAGE 9

8 A POOR IRISH BOY. It was into poor Mary's ears that I poured all my sorrows, And the third loadstone that drew me to the Middleville and she would always encourage me to persevere, saying to Academy was little Edna James. me: "Try and bear it all until you become a good scholar, Den ny, and then you can face the world and fight your way to the top rank." My father was only two weeks out of his bed when he went to carrying the hod for a bricklayer in the town, who was putting up the building for old Rogers. He was weak enough, and unfit to do the work at all, but he struggled on until the close of the day. About that time the big Englishman went around inspecting the work; my father happened to be carrying a load near him when he stumbled and fell, throwing the bricks all over. One of them struck Rogers on the leg, and he commenced to swear at my father like fury, calling him all manner of ugly names, and declaring that he wouldn't have such a clumsy Irish scoundrel employed on his building any longer. My poor father couldn't stand the abuse, and he gave back some talk. when Rogers made at him and struck him a blow that knocked him down into the cellar. The poor man was lifted out insensible and taken to his home, while the English bully marched off crying: "That's the way to settle with the infernal Micks who give you impudence." I didn't hear about the bad business for some days after, and then it was young Wellington Rogers who ran across me in the stable and taunted me about it, crying: "My old man knocked thunder out of your Mick of a father, Irish, and I am able to do the same with two such fellows as you are." If I had known the real truth I am certain that I would have pitched into the fellow at the moment, but I kept my temper and I turned away as I only replied: "I suppose you could, but it is no credit to you or to your father either to be beating those who are not your match." I went home that night to find my father in bed with an ugly cut in his head, and then I learned the whole truth. Can any one blame me for making a vow that night, that I would have satisfaction on old Rogers and his son just as soon as I was able. As if to add to my rage, when I was on my way back to the academy that evening, I met my sister Mary in the street of the village with the tears in her eyes. Mary was a nice-looking girl of fifteen at the time, and she was very womanly for her age. When I asked her what was the trouble with her. she wouldn't tell me at first. but I soon made her confess that a loafer had insulted her in the street. Then I found out that the loafer was no other than young Wellington Rogers. You may be sure my blood was boiling when I went back to the stable that evening, and I would have gone in search of the young rascal at once only Ajax held me back, saying: "Yous just keep still longer, Denny, and den I givs you de word to let fly at de loafer." Ajax did begin a peculiar course of training that very night, and I have since learned that it was a very sensible one, while being wholesome as well. Although I was becoming confident in myself as I advanced in learning, I was as humble as ever, and I bore all the insults heaped on me by the boys of the academy with great patience. I was also respectful to Professor James and his wife, al though the latter often provoked me to fling up my job and clear away. Three objects held me fast, however, and I kept on until I was a year at the academy. The first was my great regard and ambition for Marcus Townsend, who was secretly aiding me in my lessons. The second tie was my ambition to become a scholar, and to surprise Wellington Rogers with my learning and with my powers 'as a fighter. Although I became somewhat intimate with Marcus Town send, I never told him about my practicing wit_ h the gloves under Ajax, and the big negro alone was in that secret. CHAPTER V. ACCUSED OF A CRIME. It was about the first of June that something occurred which caused me to get into an ugly scrape. A gang of burglars had been committing some mysterious robberies in the neighborhod at the time, and among the other houses broken into in the village was that of old Rogers. Tli.e blustering fellow made a tremendous fuss about his loss, and he swore that the burglars had taken two thousand dollars that he had to pay his hands on the following day, and the bricklayers as well. He also swore that the robbers made off with a lot of bonds as well as his watches and jewelry, and he declared that lie would be in a bad fix if he didn't succeed in recovering some of his loss. It then became rumored around that some one in the neigh borhood was in with the burglars, and that no stranger could spot out the houses plundered by them with so much secrecy. I wasn't at all pleased to hear about the robbery at Rogers' house, as my spite didn't tend that way. To tell the truth I only thought of paying father and son back in their own coin, and I had sense enough to know that it wouldn't do me any good to hear of their being beg gared for life. I was also sorry about the people working in his hat factory, and the bricklayers on his building, as old Rogers made the robbery an excuse for not paying off his hands on the Satur day evening following, when two weeks' pay was due. The first thing old Rogers did was to go down to New York for a smart detective, and he then offered a good reward for the recovery of the bonds. In the meantime I want to tell you that young Wellington Rogers continued to make love to my sister Mary, and that he almost troubled the life out of her by forcing his company on her whenever he could. I didn't hear about that until after, and I didn't know that the young rascal threatened to crush and ruin me if she didn't consent to marry him on the sly. I did hear, however, that Marcus Townsend got into another row with the young bully about some young girl, and I strorig ly suspected that it was Mary they fought about. In any case, it pained Ille to hear that Well Rogers got the best of my friend the second time. On the third day after the robbery at Rogers' house the old man and his son came up to the academy with the New York detective. I didn't pay much attention to them at first, as I was busy with Ajax in the stable, but when I saw them all coming over to us I said to the negro: "Can it be that they suspect either of us about the robbery, Ajax, as young Rogers has mischief in his eye and no mis take." The negro looked out at those approaching him, and he grinned as he replied: "If dey spects dis chile fur a robber dey is mighty much mistaken." Before we could say any more the three of them were on us in the stable, and the detective fixed his eye on the big negro, as he asked: "Where do you live?" "Right thar in de house, sah." The negro had not bee'n sleeping in the room over the stable

PAGE 10

A POOR IRISH BOY. 9 with me since he married the cook, as himself and his wife occupied an apartment at the top of the academy building. The detective then turned his eyes on me, and asked: "Where do you live, young fellow?" I pointed up-stairs as I replied: "Up there, sir." The man looked very sharply at me again, and he then in quired: "What is your name?" him a blow in the face with all the strength and fury that was in me, as I cried: "You lying dog, my sister and I never did wrong in our lives, and I am certain that it was you put the watch up stairs." The blow laid Wellington Rogers fiat on the floor and the pistol went off at the same moment. Then an awful yell burst from Ajax and he fell on the floor also, crying: "Dennis Driscoll, sir." ''I'se a dead nigger." "Have you a sister who lives out as a servant next door to I suppose I must have lost my senses at the time, for I was Mr. Rogers here?" mad enough to dash out of the stable as fast as I could when "I have, sir," I promptly replied, little thinking to what his I should have stood my ground and faced my accusers like a inquiries were tending. "Did you go down to see her last Friday night?" he then asked. I reflected a few moments, and I did remember that I paid a visit to my sister on the night of the robbery, so I replied: "I was down there that evening, sir." "How late did you stay?" man. I could only think of flying, however, as it struck me on the instant that I would have no chance against old Rogers and his son, and that they would send me to prison for many years for a crime I never committed. A way I dashed down toward the grove where the fight had taken place, and after me ran the detective and old Rogers, the "Until after ten o'clock." former crying: "Can you prove that you returned to the stable soon after "Don't fire at him, sir, as I will soon run him down, you can ten o clock?" bet. "I suppose I can, sir. The man was in his prime and very active, but he did nr1t "Who saw you then?" know whom he had to deal with then. I was puzzled to reply, as I could not remember that I had As I was in splendid condition in every way, and fit to taght met any one in particular on my way back to the stable that and .run for my life, I made great time in reaching thP grove, night. while old Rogers kept yelling as he fell far behind tbe detec Young Wellington Rogers then whispered some words to the tive: detective, and he nodded and looked up-stairs before he said "Fire at the young scoundrel and bring him down before he aloud: "I will tend to that. You stand here by the door, and yous father and I will go up-stairs and search the premises right off Young Rogers took his stand by the door and drew a re volver and pointed it at me as he cried: "If you offer to escape, you Irish thief, I will lay you out on the instant." I was so dumfounded that I didn't know what to say, but my black friend became highly indignant, and he spoke right out, saying: "It's a blame shame to kuse Denny here ob de robbery, 'cause I know that he am as honest a boy as dey makes 'em in dis world." Old Rogers turned his head as he was mounting the stairs, and cried, in his blustering tones: "Shut up, you black rascal, as you may be in the same boat with that Irish thief." I was so dumfounded at the charge made against me I couldn't open my lips if one single word would have saved my life at the moment. Wellington Rogers kept sneering at me and pointed the pis tol at my head, as if he would be only glad of a chance to shoot me ait the moment. I really think that he would have fired at me if I had moved .a step or raised my hand against him. I couldn't tell how long the others were up-stairs, but when they did come down again the detective held a gold watch in his hand and looked at me with terrible eyes, as he cried out: "Where did you get this, Driscoll?" I looked at the watch and then at old Rogers and his son as I burst out into tears, crying: "As heaven is my witness, I never saw it in my life before that I know of." A cry of exultation burst from young Rogers, and he sprang at me to grab me by the shoulder as he cried in savage tones: "I knew he was the thief, and that his sister was in with bim in the game." If I was certain that death awaited me the next instant, I couldn't keep still at the moment, and I was near enough to being put out of the way forever, goodness knows. With a savage cry I sprang at the young rascal and struck escapes." The detective had called on me several times to stop or he would fire, but I kept on for dear life, as I said to myself: I am lost if they catch me, as I know that l would stand no chance against such rogues." Even while I was thus plunging on in a great state of ex citement, I began to realize that young Rogers had formed a plot for my destruction, and that it would be almost impossi ble for me to get out of the scrape if I were once caught. Whatever chance I had at all against them would be by remaining at liberty, I imagined, and away I went, even when the detective commenced to blaze away at me with his revolver at last. As I was enough of a sportsman to know that it was hard to hit a flying mark, I kept on through the grove and then out on the fields beyond, when I could hear by the shouts of the boys that they. were hurrying from the ball ground to hem me in if possible. Some of the boys could run like fury, as I knew full well, and I was also aware that they wouldn't desire any other sport than hunting down a poor wretch like me who was accused ot robbery. Don't imagine that I blame the boys, for of course they thought that I was guilty when they saw me flying, and I sup. pose that I would have given chase myself under the same circumstances. As I dashed along I could see that the boys were closing on me, and I noticed. that Marcus Townsend was leading in the chase. Making a turn to the right, I started away again so that they couldn't head me off, and when I looked back soon after I still noticed that my brave champion of other days was still in the lead, with the detective second after him. Then I heard a voice crying out to me: "Hold on, there, Denpy, and let me know what is the matter with you." After measuring the distance between Marcus and the de tective, I did hold up a little, and my friend was soon beside me, saying: "What are you running for, Denny?" "I am accused of robbery, sir." "Bnt you are not guilty?"

PAGE 11

10 A POOR IRISH BOY. "I'll swear I am not." "Then why do you run like a fool?" "Because the Rogers will clap me into prison forever." "Nonsense, Denny. Just stand your ground, and I'll see that you get justice. Remember that my father is a lawyer and he will defend you." As the. brave lad spoke he caught me and held me back until the came upon us, crying: "Hang the fellow, but he runs like a race-horse, and no mis take. You are my prisoner." The man was about to clap a pair of handcuffs on my wrists when Marcus Townsend interfered, saying: "Don't degrade the boy in that way, sir, and I'll guarantee that he will go quietly with you." As he spoke he took my arm within his own, while the de tective replied: "All right, young man. I don't want to put them on if I can help it." A lot of the boys came up at that moment, and old Rogers was with them, puffing and blowing. Without waiting to draw breath the big bully rushed at me and struck me in the face with great force, as he yelled out: "Take that for daring to hit my son." I fell on the ground from the blow, and I could hear the de tective crying: "That's not right, Mr. Rogers, and you mustn't do it again while I am here." "Heaven bless you, young lady," was all I could say. And I will say that to my dying day. CHAPTER VI. FRIENDS AND FOES. If I had been on trial with a serious crime charged against me, and the judge and jury were to declare me innocent I could not have been more overjoyed than I was when the bright little lady asserted her belief in my honesty. Edna had scarcely spoken a word, however, when her moth er seized her by the arm and dragged her away from me, crying: "How dare you go near that wicked wretch, Edna, and I am sure he is guilty, as I always said that he had a horrid face." "Certainly he is guilty, Mrs. James," rejoined Wellington Rogers. "We found my father's gold watch up under his bed, and he tried to kill me when I went to arrest him, and I shot the big negro by accident. It doesn t amount to much, how ever, as here comes Ajax hobbling along now." Ajax did come hobbling along to meet us as we drew near the stable, and he at once cried out: "I swear to goodness, Massa James, dat dere boy am inno cent, an' it am all a put-up job on him, as sure as I be a black man." "Mr. Rogers," cried Marcus Townsend, "I must tell you that Old Rogers and his son grumbled at the big negro; and I for-you are a coward to strike a prisoner that way, and I will aegot my own trouble for the moment as I asked: nounce you for it." The big bully glared from the detective to the young man as he blustered forth: "To the mischief with your denouncing, you young cur, and I'll get my son to drub you again." I sprang to my feet as soon as I could, and my heart was bursting, as I cried: "Mark my words, sir. I'll make you and your son pay for this treatment before long." I then turned to the boys, and the tears were in my eyes as I said to them: "Boys, boys may I never live to see my father and mother again if I am not innocent of the charge they bring against me now, and the truth will soon come out." The detective had seized my arm to take me along back, while the boys shouted: "We believe Denny is innocent, and he has got to have fair play." "He will have fair play," cried Marcus Townsend, "and I'll bet my life that he will come out all right." Young Wellington Rogers came puffing along at the mo ment and he was making for me, when the detective pushed him back, crying: "No more of that! While the prisoner is in my charge I will see that he gets a chance." "Let him give up the bonds," cried the old man, "and will be light on him, if I can." "I don't know anything about your bonds, or anything else," I cried, "and you can do your best now." I felt very desperate at the moment, and who wouldn't when treated as I was. As we were nearing the academy along came Professor James and his wife, with little Edna, and I must say that I never felt so bad in my life as when I saw her looking at me, as she inquired: "What is wrong with Denny?" "He is a robber," replied old Rogers, "as he stole my money and my bonds." The good girl sprang forward at once, seized me by the hands and looked up in my face as she cried: "I don't believe a word of it! Denny could never be a thief, for I know him better. "Are you much hurt, Ajax?" "Not bery much, chile, as de ball only glanced on de fat of my leg. It am well it didn't go frou yous heart, as I know Well Rogers meant it." "Shut up, you black scoundrel," cried old Rogers. "I shouldn't wonder at all if you are in with the young Irish hound in the robbery, and you had better look out for yourself. The big negro became terribly incensed on the moment, and lame as he was, he drew back and held up his fist in a boxing attitude as he cried: Come on har, an' you just tries it on, you blamed blowing Engish puffer you. I is black, but my heart is whiter than yours a hundred times ober." The big Englishman laughed scornfully at Ajax, while Pro fessor James cried: "You keep still and clear in, Ajax, or I will discharge you on the instant." It did not suit my black friend to be dismissed from the academy at the time, and he turned away muttering: "All right, Massa James; but I swar ef I don't stick to Denny, an' I'll make Massa Rogers eat him words fore I is frough with him." I was then led into the stable by the detective, and old Rogers and his son stood guard over me, while the officer from, New York went up to the loft to search for more of the stolen property. Marcus Townsend went up with him as he said to me: "Keep up your courage, Denny, as I will see that you get fair play. Mrs. James led her daughter into the academy, but the sweet girl cast one more assuring glance at me before she was led away. The boys of the academy thronged around the stable, and old Rogers and his son kept heaping abuse on me while the others were searching in the loft above. I did not make a single reply, as I bit my lips to suppress my anger as I said to myself: "I was a fool to run away at all, and now I'll fight them out to the bitter end. If there is any justice in the land my inno cence will be proved, a'Ild the rascal who got me into this scrape will be punished as he deserves before very long." After the detective and Marcus Townsend were up-stairs

PAGE 12

A POOR IRISH BOY 11 ====================================-----some time they came down again, the officer holding some cus Townsend hastened away to look for his father, saying: bank-notes in his hand, as he said: "Don't be down-hearted, Denny, and I'll bet you will be soon "We found those in a rat hole in the corner of the room all right again, and that your enemies will shake in their above." bots." "I'll bet that's my money," cried old Rogers. "How mucn i. I was down-hearted enough when I found myself alone in. there there?" the little prison, and who wouldn't be under the circum"Over fifty dollars," replied the detective. stances? I didn' t pay muc h attention to this new evidence against me My father was still sick in bed frol\1 the treatment he had until I saw Marcus Townsend looking at me with a sorrowful received from old Rogers, and I knew that he couldn' t do much face, and I then asked him: for me even if he was able to be around. "Do you believe, Mr. Townsend, that I put the money in the My poor mother had her hands full of trouble and sorrow rat hole?" before I got into the scrape, ana I was praying she wouldn't. The good young fellow looked at me very earnestly for a mo-hear about my trouble at all, but she did. ment or so as if trying to gaze into my very heart, whe n he Old Rogers and the d etective went straight to our little stepped forward and grasped my hand very warmly, as he cabin after putting me in the jail, and they tossed everything cried: about looking for the things which had been stolen. "I don' t believe it, Denny, and I am going to stick to you like My father never said a word while the search was going on, a friend." but my mother told me afterward that he gave several awful Old Rogers grumbled to himself, and then cast a significant looks at old Rogers as if he meant to say: glanc e at his son as he cried: H e wants another drubbing, Wellington." My brave young friend' scowled back defiantly, as he re;lied: Yes and I ll take a dozen good lickings, if necessary, Mr. Rogers, b efore you or your son can make me believe that Den ny h e r e is guilty. I now tell you again that I will stand to him, and so will my father, and we will see that he gets jus"This is some more of your black work, and poor and help less as I am now I will be even with you yet." Marcus Townsend brought my sister Mary to see me that night, and it was then she told me how young Rogers had an noyed her, while he had also threatened to crush me if she did not marry him in secret. Poor Mary had been discharged from her place when the tice ." people who employed her heard that I had been arrested for "He's sweet on the bog-trotter's sister," cried young Rogers, the burglary next door; but she was a brave girl for !I.er a&e, with a broad grin. and she didn't lose heart at all, as she said to me: Marcus Townsend's eyes gleamed with rage for a moment, and I thought that he was going to strike the insulting young J;>UPPY, but he curbe d himself, and replied in quiet tones: "You are not much of a gentleman, Rogers, or you wouldn't insult the helpless in that way." I was almost tempted to turn and hit the young rascal also, but I curbed my temper nicely, and ground my teeth as I said to myself: "As sure as there is a heaven above us, Denny, you will be righted soon, and those who are :working against you will be punished!" Marcus Townsend's father came to see me also, and he at once took my case in hand. As he was the cleverest lawyer in the neighborhood, and a good ma11 besides, I had great confidence in him. After he had asked me several questions he pulled out l'lis "Will my day ever come at all? Oh, if I was only over this watch, saying: charge, I feel able to surprise him and his father in a way they "I am going right down to New York on the next train, and very little dream of." I bring some one up with me who will aid us in working After the detective and old Rogers had consulted a little out this case. You keep quiet, Driscoll, and don't say a while, the officer turned to me and asked: about what I am doing." "Will you agree to give up the bonds and other things taken, I then knew that the good man was going down after a Dennis Driscoll?" clever detective, and the game against my enemies would soon I shook my head in a very decided manner, and then recommence in earnest, with friends on my side who would show plie d : me the best of fair play. I won t agree to give anything up, sir, for the very good My enemies were very active also, as I learned next morning r eason that I didn' t take anything at all from Mr. Rogers' that the Rogers were working tooth and nail to have me railhouse and I swear to goodness that I am as innocent as the roaded off to Sing Sing as soon as possible. child unborn." Lawyer Townsend managed to get me out on ball on the A sneering laugh burst from old Rogers and his son, and following day, or I would have been sent to the county jail,. the former cried: and two of the richest men in the neighborhood went security "Let us away with him to jail, officer, and I want you to for me. look after that nigger, Ajax, also." Late in the afternoon young Marcus came to our cabin and Ajax had retreated into the house when threatened by Pro-asked me to take a walk with him, as he had something to sa) fessor James, but he appeared again when his name was thus to me. mentioned, and he at once cried: We walked out to a lonesome place behind the buryin& "Dis chile am ready to stand any charge, an' he defies you ground where we met a stout gentleman with a clean fat face, right ha0r Massa Rogers." and who looked very like a preacher. They did not seem inclined to arrest Ajax at the time, how-Tha fat gentleman was Mr. Thomas Jones, the ever, but young Rogers gave him one slap in the face as he from New York, who had been engaged in my behalf. said: He asked me several questions about my way of living, and "All in good time, you black rascal. The Irish cur here will about my sister and young Rogers, and of course I told him soon turn informer, and then we will go for you hot and that I had nothing to do with the robbery at all. heavy, you can bet." I was very glad to notice that he believed me, for he said as I still kept my temper, but every insult h eaped on me only much, while he war:ned me to keep quiet for the present, and added more and more to the mountain of rage forming against not to tell any one that he was engaged for me. my persecutors. The detective was stopping with the clergyman in the vil-The detective then Jed me away to the village, and Marcus lage with whom he was acquainted, and as he looked like a Townsend and several of the other boys followed us to the minister himself none of my enemies suspected that he was enoffice of the justice of the peace. j gaged in the case. After I was examined I was sent to the little jail, and MarI As I couldn't think of going back to the acade.my while the

PAGE 13

A POOR IRISH BOY. serious charge was hanging over me, I stopped at our little Through the influence of Mr. Townsend, my trial was put cabin and helped my poor father as much as I could. off until 8:fter the summer vacation was over, and I had plenty Old Mr. Townsend insisted on our taking a little money of time for thought and action. from him, and he also promised to get Mary another situation I first set about watching young Rogers on the sly, and I in the village. soon found out that he was associating with some very bad It is a great thing to have friends in trouble, and I would young men in the neighboring town. be an ungrateful wretch, indeed, if I ever could forget young Old Rogers spent most of his time in New York, as his busi-Marcus Townsend and his father. ness in the village had gone to the bad entirely. I didn't go round much in the village for the next two days, The old fellow had taken to drinking in the great city, and as it was easy to see that most of the people believed that I the son pretended that his father was trying to get into some was guilty, and I didn't care to meet the black looks and in-small business there. suits I was sure to get on all sides. I The young fellow still lived in the house in the village, Old Rogers suspended payment two days after I was ar-which had been left to him by his mother, and his aunt kept rested, and he announced at the same time that it was all on house for him. account of the robbery. The house could not be sold until he was twenty-one years I then began to suspect that the rogue had not been robbed of age, and it would then bring a very good figure. at all, and that the whole business was a plot to humbug hon One of the first things I discovered in making private in est people out of their money as it soon became rumored quiries was that Well Rogers was seen a good deal with a around that old Rogers had been living very fast, and that he young fellow from the neighboring town who bore a very bad was heavily in debt. reputation, and who had b een already arrested for robbery. I said as much to young Marcus Townsend, and he smiled That young fellow's name was Dick Hill, and it was sus-in a knowing manner as he replied: pected that he had something to do with the burglaries com"Don't you say that to any one else, Denny, but I can tell mitted in the neighborhood at the time when I was first ac you that my father is of the same opinion and so is Mr. Tom cused. Jones. The only thing that puzzles the detective is why they The detective from New York discovered that old Rogers should try to make a victim of you in the affair. had really a lot of bonds and a large sum in cash about the "Young Wellington seemed to hate me from the first day I time of the robbery, and I learned that Dick Hill was seen in met him," I replied, "and then he is angry with Mary be the village with young Rogers on the very night of the trouble. cause she won't marry him." Putting everything together, I made up my mind that young "Did you ever give him any back talk when he inslted Rogers and his friend had robbed his own father, and it was you?" hard to tell whether the old man was in the game or not. "I never said anugly words to him, even when he knocked Mr. Tom Jones made several visits to the village to consult me senseless with his bat." with the Townsends and myself, and we all agreed that I was Marcus Townsend then asked me if I ever f elt like fighting on the -right track, and that it was only necessary to trace the young Rogers, and I honestly answered that I hope d to be able rest of the stolen property to the real thieves in order to clear to do that when I was cleared of the robbery, and that the rue of the charge. young bully would not have it all his own way hereafter. 'l'he n an ide a o ccurred to me that the robbers may have My young friend then advised me to keep out of the way of hidden the rest of the p.roperty around the stable when they my enemies for the present if possible, and to trust to his placed the money and the watch there to entrap me, and I father and the detective for getting me clear. commenced a thorough search for it. Greatly to my surprise, Professor James sent after me that Great was my joy when I found it at last, but I was so care-night to go back to the academy, and after consulting with my ful about the discovery and the fresh trouble it might bring parents I agreed to do so. on me that I didn't tell anyone about it except Ajax. As the summer vacation was soon to commence I wouldn't We then agree d to k e ep the secret and to wait and watch, see much of the boys, and I would have more time for private feeling assured that the thieves would come after their booty studying. when the y thought it would be safe to dispose of the bonds. Ajax and his wife welcomed me warmly when I took up It was a lucky thing for me that I went back to the acad my abode over the stable, and they both assured me that the emy again, or I would never have been able to clear my name, tide was turning against the :i:togers, and that Professor James and my life would have been ruined forever. was Very doubtful as to my guilt, even with all the proof And I may thank Edna James for my return, as it was she against me. who insisted on her father sending for me. Ajax hinted that Edna James infiueni:ed her father in my favor, but he also told me that Mrs. James was as bitter against me as ever. A couple of weeks went by, the academy was closed for the summer vacation, and there did not seem to be much progress made toward clearing the charge made against me. I kept very close to my work around the academy, and I studied harder than ever during the suminer evenings, while I suffered torments of agony over the dark cloud that was on me. Marcus Townsend often came to see me, and advised me to have patience, as he said to me: "Mr. Jones is watching old Rogers in New York, and he feels certain that he will soon hit on a clew that will expose the whole plot against you." CHAPTER VII. MY FIRST REAL FIGHT. Although the discovery I had made was a great point in my !avor I had sense enough to k0now that I had still a ticklish job llefore me in bringing the guilt home to the right party. The Rogers were playing a very deep game, and I could see how they would work out of the trouble even if we caught them in the act of taking away the stolen bonds. Father and son had both declared from the first that I The advice was well enough, but I was sick and tired of de-had the articles in hiding somewhere, and what was more pending on others, and I determined to try my own hand in natural than for them to seek for them in or around the stable, working out the mystery. where they had first found the watch and the money? There is nothing like fighting your own battles in this life, If Ajax and I did pounqe out on them while they were re-and young and green as I was then, I made up my mind to try I moving Qie documents they could turn around and swear that my 'own hand in that and all other battles of life the r eafter. it. was only natural for them to search for their. own prop-

PAGE 14

A POOR IRISH BOY. 13 erty where they believed it to be, and then they rould throw I grove from whence I could watch all the paths leading to the the full blame on us. academy building. From the information I had received, however, I believed Ajax was keeping watch from his room at the top of the that the thieves would try to recover the bonds on the sly, and principal building, and the good young lady was on the look then dispose of them secretly, so as to cheat thei.r creditors out in her bedroom on the second floor. still more. From the positions We then held we could all see any one I would have consulted with Marcus Townsend and his fath-approaching and entering the stable, and we were prepared to er on the subject at last, but they went away for a summer follow them when they returned to the village. trip to California, and I did not know when they would re-After the dog had rested for some time, I took him out with turn. me, as we feared that he would pom;1ce on the strangers if we Mr. Tom Jones, the detective, was busy in New York, and l left him in the stable. didn't care to trouble him, as he appeared to grow lukewarm While I was thus watching the big dog gave a low growl, in my case after the first week or so." and I turned to see an old fat negro standing close behind me Ajax had plenty of brains; he was honest and faithful to me ; in the grove. and I knew, that I could depend on him to the death if it came It was evident that the dog knew the old fellow as the ani to a handto-hand struggle. mal shook his tail as he approached nearer to me, saying: After discussing the subject for some time, however, we both "Don't you get e:i.i:cited, young fellow, as I am your friend in agreed that we ought to have another witness in our favor, this affair." and we pitched on the bright little lady who had declared her I looked at the chap in the dim light, but I couldn't remem belief in my innocence from the first. ber that I ever saw him before, although his voice was a little Edna James was then in her sixteenth year, and she was sensible and brave, as well as highly intelligent and beautiful. It was Ajax who told her our secret and the object he had in doing so, and she at once entered heart and soul into our pr ject. My sister Mary got another situation'. in the village, and as the house in which she lived was nearly opposite Rogers' place she was able to tell us about the goings and comings of the young rogue and his friend. Mary was not fully in my secret, but she knew that I was watching the father and son, and she was always ready to give me information. One afternoon she came up to me and informed me that old Rogers and young Dick Hill were visiting the house that af ternoon, and that she had seen then consulting with Welling ton for a long time. Somet:fling whispered to me that the rogues were about to make a serious move, and I sent my sister bac k to keep an eye on them, while Ajax and I prepared to receive them if they should come to the stable. Ajax also spoke to Edna James, and she was to be on the lookout from the bedroom in the a c ademy, as previously agreed upon. I want to mention here that my father was around again and at work, and that he was also as strong as ever. Ajax and I had so arranged that we could hide ourselves away in the stable and watch those who came after the bonds without being observed ourselves. We had also arranged to give signals to the brave young lady in the academy by day or night, although we knew that the rogues were sure to come in the secrecy and shelter of the darkness. I forgot to mention that Ajax was compelled to get rid of his big black dog soon after he married Susan, as the cook did not like the animal, and she made him give him away to a friend down n ear Jersey City. About nine o'clock that night as we were watching for the approach of the rogues, I perceived a dark object coming along up the avenue toward the academy, and as it drew nearer I noticed that it was the big dog. The poor fellow had returned to us again as soon as he could escape from his new master, and it was very evident that he had been traveling all day, as he was very weary when he reached the stable. It was then agreed that I should keep him with me for the present, and after we had given him something to eat and drink we sent him to rest up on the hayloft. It wasn't our object to disturb the rogues when they did come after the bonds, as we proposed to watch them after they left with them, and then have them arrested with the stolen documents in their possession. About eleven o'clock that night I took up a position in the familiar to me, and thinking that he may be Ajax's friend, I said to him: "Did you come here to see Ajax?" "Not exactly: as I came to see you. I met that dog thi3 evening as I was looking around the village, and I made friends with him, as I thought he belonged up here." I kept looking at the old fellow and for the life of me I couldn't make him out, although I was certain that I knew his. voice. When he first spoke to me he used the negro dialect, but he dropped it entirely as he continued to answer me, while I asked: "What do you want with me, sir, and what are you doing on these private grounds?" The old fellow patted the dog on the head, and chuckled ta. himseH before he replied: "Then you don't know me?" "I can't say that I do." "It is just as well you didn't, but you must know me nJw." The disguised man scarcely uttered the words when I knew him to be Mr. Tom Jones, the detective from New York, who was working in my case I had wronged the man when I thought he was neglectingi me, as I had soon to learn that he was very active in the busi ness all through. I was a little surprised on finding who it was, and 1 said to him: "I know you now, sir, but I didn't expect to see you here and in such a trim." The old gentleman chuckled again, and kept playing with the dog's head as he replied: "Why, I have been around the village here for several days, and I have b, en watching your friends. I think I can tell what you are doing out here now." "Then what am I doing, sir?" I asked. "You are expecting a visit from the rascals who got you into this scrape." "That is very true, sir." "What have you discovered since I spoke to you last?" I was just about to tell the detective what I had really dis coviired, when a loud cry of fright came from the direction of the academy, and the good dog bounded away in that direction on the instant. Several cries followed in quick succession, and away I dart ed, as I said to the detective: "The villains must have got into the main building while we were watching for them elsewhere." The disguised detective bounded after me, and it was won derful how he could run, as he nearly kept up to me as we dashed along, while he asked me: "Have you a weapon about you, Dennis?"

PAGE 15

14 A POOR IRI II BOY. "Only this stick, sir," I replied, as I drew a stout blackthorn from under my coat. "That may do on a pinch. Keep close to me and follow the dog." We could see the dog bounding away toward the main en trance to the academy, while the cries and yells in the building .grew stronger and stronger. "It is fire or burglars," said the old detective to me as we dashed up to the front door. At that moment the door was flung open, and four men with blackened faces dashed out against us. The dog made at.one or them, but the animal was flung aside and stretched on the ground. I struck at another or the black chaps with my stick, and ver my face, and then two persons lifted me up from the grass and took me into the house. One of them was Susan, the fat cook, and the other was Pro fessor James himself. I had recovered my senses somewhat when they took me into the front room, and there I saw Mrs. James on a rocking. chair, going on at an awful rate about the loss of some money .and jewels The moment she saw me she sprang up and made at me as if she would tear my eyes out, as she cried: "There is the Irish wretch who robbed me, and I am ready to swear it was him I saw in the bedroom taking my things awhile ago." "Oh, mother, how could that be," cried Edna, "when he was outside fighting the burglars?" "I know what I am talking about, you saucy little wretch!" cried her mother, as she shook her fist in my face "This comes of bringing the young robber back here again after he was detected before I was stupefied enough at the charge, you may be sure, and I looked around for the disguised detective or fo,r Ajax, but neither or them was at hand. I was getting all right as far as my head went, and I turned to the cook and asked her: "Where is your husband, Susan?" "He am gone away after de robbers, 1an' I suppose he am dead now." "'Where is the black old man who came here with me?" The cook shook her head and answered: "Didn't see no black man but de robbers, an' dey wasn't real cullad folks." The professor was staring from his wife to me as if not knowing what to make of the affair, and I felt that I was going to get into another bad scrape, unless the detective or Ajax soon came to my rescue. I was also anxious to be away to the village, as I thought that there would be work for me there, but I was afraid to make a move, fearing that Mrs. James would accuse me of wanting to run away and insist on holding me. At that moment the big black dog came into the room wag ging his tail, and he sprang toward me in the most friendly manner. I then noticed that the faithful animal had a cut on the side of the head, and I took out my old handkerchief to bind the wound, as I said: "The poor dog knows that we tried to catch the robbers, and that we were watching for them." And so do I," cried Edna, as she grasped me by the hand. "I saw you fighting with the wretches from the window, and there was an old black gentleman with you." "And I swear that I saw him in my bedroom taking my things!" cried Mrs. James. I couldn't be mista}(en in his Irish face." "What Is that you say, lady?" cried a stern voice behind us. We all turned to the new -comer on the instant, and there stood the detective disguised as an old negro, with the marks of the recent fight very apparent on his face and clothes. Professor James and his wife both stared at the intruder, while the former demanded: "What are you doing in here, sir, and who are you I would like to know?" The detective pulled back his coat a little and showed a bright shield as he replied in quiet tones: "I am an officer from New York, sir, and my name is Jones. Did I not hear that lady say that she saw this young fellow in her bedroom a short time ago?" "I am certain of it," answered Mrs. James, as she bent a spiteful look on me. And I am certain that you did not, madam, as the boy was with me out on the grounds when the alarm was given in here. I have been on the track of the people who attacked you since early this evening, and I am ready to prove that Dennis Dris coll here had nothing to do with entering your house, or with the other crime against him, either." I could have kissed the detective at the moment, but my heart fell a little again when Mrs. Jam es cried : "My word is as good as yours, sir, and my eyes also, and I can swear that I saw Dennis Driscoll there in my room taking my watch and jewels when I first raised the alarm and arous ed my husband. The rascal then ran out of the room but not before I fully recognized him by the light of the lamp on the bureau." As the woman was thus speaking I felt that it was a lucky thing for me that I met the detective in the grove that night, and I also felt that one of the robbers had fixed himself up to look like me for the purpose of getting me into another bad scrape. CHAPTER VIII. SOME QUEER REVELATIONS. Mrs. James continued to rave about the loss of her jewels and money, swearing the while that I was the robber, and call ing on her husband to arrest me. The poor man did not seem to know what to do, as his daughter declared as strongly that I was innocent, and she !aced her mother for the first time, crying: "You are a wicked woman, and I am glad you are not my real mother." I only knew then that Edna was not Mrs. James' daughter, and I was very glad of it. The detective put a stop to all quarreling about me for the

PAGE 16

\ A POOR IRISH BOY. time as he laid his hand on my shoulder and said to the pro fessor: "I will take charge of this boy, and I will be responsible for him." "But who will be security for you?" cried Mrs. James, as she glared at the detective. "I will," answered a manly voice. And then into the front room walked Lawyer Townsend, fol lowed by his son Marcus. You may be sure I was delighted to see my friend back from California at such a time. and wasn't I proud when Marcus came over and shook me by the crying: "You will soon be all right now, Denny, but I see that you have been in a row." Edna James shook Marcus by the hand also, as she said to him: "Yes, and he fought like a hero to-night for us. I am so glad that Y,OU are here, as I know that you are the poor fellow's friend." "I am indeed," said Marcus. A lot of the people of the village came along at the time, and among them were my father and my sister Mary. While they were all asking various questions about the rob bery, the detective drew Mr. Townsend and myself aside and he asked me: "Have all the rascals escaped?" of the rascals in the le9, and we are pretty sure to catch \ I fear that we lost a good chance of exposing the whole affl but we will have to make the best of a bad job." It was then proposed to go into the house again and asce tain how much was taken. In the meantime the constables in the town and several of the brave citizens had started out in search of the robbers. As we were returning back to the house I drew my sister Mary aside and asked her: "What about the Rogers?" "I didn't see them stir out to-night, Denny, and I watched the house until I heard the alarm." "Did you see any one going in there after the alarm was given?" "I did not; but I was in such a fidget when I heard the bell ring that I didn't watch very well, and I came along out here with father when I saw him cominli:'.'' When we got back to the front room I was a little surprised to see old Rogers and his son consulting with Mrs. James. They both gave a look at me, and the old fellow sneered as if he meant to say to me: "You are at it again." The detective did not pay much attention to the Rogers, as he addressed Mrs. Jame: saying: "I wish you would find out how much you have lost, Mrs. James, and be prepared to recognize the articles stolen, if neeI then went on to tell him of my adventure, in as few words as possible, and I ended by saying: essary." ''I am certain I knew the voice of the last chap I knocked At that moment a commotion was heard outside the house, down, but I couldn't tell his face with the black stuff on it." and then Ajax staggered into the hallway bearing something It then became apparent that all the robbers had escaped, so on his broad back. far as heard from, and on counting their number we came to "It is one of the robbers," cried Edna, as Ajax 'flung the fel the conclusion that there must have been six of them in the low on the floor. gang. when I told the detective about seeing two of them come from toward the stable to attack me at the end of the row, he appeared to be puzzled, and remarked: "Save me, save me," cried Mrs. James, as she drew back in terror also The fellow was helpless, however, as Ajax had bound his arms behind him. "What could they want over in the stable?" I then U'p and to}d the pair of them about my the bonds and other things in the stable. Looking down at his captive with a triumphant smile, the discovery of big negro cried: Both the detective and Mr. Townsend frowned at me on "I guess you won't come fooling around here no more, young fellow. Blame my eyes, how much like Denny Driscoll he hearing what I had to say, and the former then said in angry aw.'' tones: The others in the room stared down at the prisoner, while "You were very foolish, young fellow to keep the fact from exclamations of surprise burst out on all sides. us. Now let us see if the bonds are over in the stable yet." "The rogue is the dead image of Denny," cried my sister, We then went over to the stable, taking Professor James "and he has some of his old clothes on, too. Who can he be and Edna with us, and I let the young lady point out where at all?" she had seen the bonds. The detective gave a significant glance at Mrs. James, and They had been concealed under a board in the corner of the then pointed to the young fellow who was lying bound on the loft where I slept, and we were both certain that they were floor, as he inquired: there that morning. "Isn't this the person whom you really saw in your bed-And so was Ajax. room to-night, Mrs. James?" Great was our surprise, then, when we both lifted the board, The spiteful woman stared down at the prisoner, who shut in the presence of the witnesses, to find that the stolen articles his eyes at the moment, and I could see that she shuddered had disappeared that very night. as she answered, in faint tones: It then flashed on me that the two rascals I had seen coming "No, sir; that is not the person whom I saw in my bedroom from the stable had been securing the bonds and the money to-night." while the others were robbing the academy, and I told as much "Then he am de one I seed run ing down de stairs," cried to those around me. the bi g negro, "an' I follered him clear away inter de wood, The detective shook his head and frowned at me as he re-whar 1 laid him out after a hard tussle." marked: The prisoner, who had not yet spoken a word, then raised "You may be right, young fellow, but it looks bad for you his head and stared around the rooin until h{e eyes fell on not telling us about it before." Mrs. James. "But he told me," protested Edna James; "and we agreed to watch the robbers taking the things away secretly, and then to. catch them with them in their possession, so that they could not say that it was Dennis here who gave them to us." I was watching the woman at the moment, and I could see 'that she shuddered again and dr, ew back as if to get out of the young fellow's sight. The prisoner then spoke alo'ud with a decided brogue, say-The detective shook his head again and then remarked in ing: serious tones: "Ye are all mistaken, good people, as I didn't come here to "Now you see the nonsense of young folks like you playing rob at all, only to see Mrs. James there.'' detective on your own hook. I am certain that I winged one Every one present who knew me stared at me when they

PAGE 17

16 A POOR IRISH BOY. heard the prisoner, as the young rogue imitated my voice to can, and clear the poor lad who has been persecuted enough perfection. "What did you come to see Mrs. James for?" demanded th detective. "Because she is an old friend of mine. to be sure. If shC' will only whisper here awhile, bad cess to me but she will clear me of being a robber at all." Mrs. James groaned as the fellow was speaking, and some of us had to smile at the droll way in which he continued to imitate me I kept staring at him with open eyes and mouth, as I said to myself: "Who in the mischief can he be at all. and what is the mat ter between him and Mrs. James?" 1 forgot to say that the chap's fac'e wasn't blackened at all like the others we met in the fight. and that he must have been about my own age and size, while the closer I looked a t him I knew that he had on a suit of my clothes which I wore in the winter time. The last time I saw them they were hanging up in the loft over the stable. The detective then walked up to Mrs. James and placed his hand on her shoulder as he said to her: already. We could all see that the miserable man was struggling be tween the fear of his wife and his inclination to do justice. Then the detective spoke in very stern tones, crying: "Professor James, if you do not admit who the prisoner Is, will you of conspiring with him to rob you1 own academy It must be remembered that the detective was still disguis ed as a big black negro, and he looked funny enough a s i stood there threatening the profesor. Then Mrs. James burst forth in full fury, and she ll).ade a dash at the officer as if she would tear his eyes out, while she cried: "What right have you, if you are an officer from New York to come here fixed up as an old nigger and threaten us as do? If my husband had a spark of spirit in him he would kick you and the others out of here at once, you meddling fools." And the furious woman looked at Marcus and his father as if she would like to wring their necks for them at that very moment. "It is necessary, madam, that you take a good look at the The detective did not seem to pay any attention to her angry prisoner there and see if you recognize him, as he pretends fit, but addressed us all in general, as he cried out in a loud to know you." The spiteful woman cast an angry glance at me, as if she still blamed me for all her trouble. and she then shook herself as if mustering up her courage to walk over and take a good look at the fellow. voice: "Is there any one else here who can recognize the prisoner on the floor? If there Is I want them to know that they will be committing a crime by holding back." The fat cook who was married to Ajax then stepped forward and cast one timid glance at Mrs. James and another at the I could see that winked up at her in a sly manner, as he said to her: prisoner, as she answered: "Won't you whisper to me Mrs. James, as I have something to tell you?" "I knows the young feller." "Then who Is he?" The young rogue was sitting upon tile floor at the t i me, and "He fs Mlssa Jame s son. Mrs. James drew back with an angry frown as she cried out: We all started on hearing the announcement, and then the "You impertinent scoundrel! I do not know you at all, and pris6ner cried, in his roguish tones: you must be a relative of that other young robber, Dennis "Sure, and I could have tould ye that long ago if you asked Driscoll me the question. Good mother, you will bear me oiV. in saying And then she gave me a look which meant to say: that I came here to-night on the sly to see you, and that I "I'll stick to what I have to say about you, no matter what wasn't with the robbers at all, at all, good or bad." happens." The spiteful woman appeared to be dumfounded by the rev"Then you do not know the young fellow, madam?" said the elation, and she could only groan forth: detective with a suspicious smile. "You miserable young wretch, I knew that you would expose "Not from Adam, was the stiff reply from Mrs. James as me at last. she drew back again. A quiet smile appeared on the detective's face as he l'loked "Do you know him, Discon?" asked the detective of me with down at the prisoner, and asked: another smile. "Were you in your mother's room to-night?" "Not from a crow. sir." I replied. "Don't answer him," cried Mrs. James, stirring up again, He then turned to Professor James, who was also very much "'as I swear that it was Dennis Driscoll there I saw in my excited, and asked: bedroom to-night. "Do you know the prisoner, professor?" Oh what a fib," cried Ajax, "when I seed Denny running to The professor hesitated, and cast a timid glance at his wife, de house from de grove when the fust cry was ra ised har in who shook her head and frowned at him as if she meant to de house." say: "And so did I," cried Edna. ''I'll give it to you if you expose me." The detective and all of us saw the glances passing between them, and then Lawyer Townsend turned on the distressed man, crying: "Professor James, I warn you that you must speak out and tell us if you Jmow the prisoner. You see that Dennis Driscoll here has been accused by your wife, and we can all notice that the prisoner looks like him. It will make matters clearer if we know who the prisoner is, and I demand that you tell us." The professor groaned In agony, and his wife cried out t r him: "I command you to keep silent, professor." Then Edna ran over and flung her arms around her father's neck, as she cried: "And I call on you, father, to recognize the prisoner if you l' And so did I," cried the detective, "and the dog here could say the same if he could only speak. Mrs. James, you are go ing too far in this business, and I would advise you to stop where you are." The spiteful woman was not subdued, however, as she point ed to the door. and cried: "And I advise you, you impertinent old fool, to clear out of here at once." The detective bent down and grabbed the prisoner by the shoulder, as he replied: "All right, madam, I api going, but I am going to take this fellow along with me. Professor James, do you acknowledge that this young fellow Is your son?" The professor groaned aloud and glared at his wife ere he cried: "No, no, the young wretch Is no son of mine. He is my

PAGE 18

A POOR IRISH BOY. 17 wife's son by a former marriage, and I my hands of him long ago." Old Rogers and his sou had not spoken a word aloud while the exposure was going on, and you may be sure that I kept: my eyes on them in the hope of finding out if there was any connection between my enemies and the prisoner. As I didn't see the least sign .passing between them, I com menced to think that I had been wrong in my surmises, and that old Rogers and Wellington had been really robbed as they had said. The detective appeared to be puzzled also, as he hesitated to drag the prisoner out, while he said to him in pleasant tones: "Young fellow, if you are wise you will make a clean breast Of it, and tell us who were here with you to-night." The prisoner looked at old Rogers with a sly smile as he inquired: "Will you let up on me, Mr. Rogers, if I give you back your bonds?" "Where are the bonds, you rascal?" demanded old Rogers in great excitement. "Promise him," whispered the detective to old Rogers, "as t can't do any harm, and we all want to get at the bottom of the affair." I then saw that old Rogers was very anxious to recover the bonds, and he said to the prisoner: "ff you will give me up my bonds I will be as light on you as I can." "Do you swear to it?" asked the young prisoner. Before old Rogers could reply Mrs. James sprang toward her son and clapped her hand on his mouth, as she cried out to hill}: "Fool, fool, you do not know what you are about, and I com mand you to keep quiet." The professor dragged his wife away, while the young fel low replied: "I am bound to save my own neck, old woman, and I have made up my mind to show up the whole game now. Let us get out. of here and I will show you where the bonds are." CHAPTER IX. A TURN IN THE TIDE. The detective at once led the prisoner out of the academ:ir as if afraid to keep him in the presence of his mother. A good many of us went with them to see the matter out, and Mrs. James was following us also when Lawyer Town send cried out in his stern tones: "I'd advise you, Professor James, to make your wife retire for the present." The spiteful woman was going to give more sauce when the professor acted toward her as I never saw him act before. The poor man was aroused at last, and he sprang back and seized her in his arms as he cried: "You must not disgrace me any more." He then lifted her up the steps, while she yelled like fury, and cried: "That young wretch must not betray me, or I will put an Before we reached the stable we were joined by the justice of the peace in the village, and he at one said to Mr. Townsend: "We just caught a fellow out on tlie plan}!: road with his face all black, and he turns out to be young Dick Hill of the next town.'' "Then I will tell all I know," cried the prisoner, "as Dick is sure to give me away." The detective and Mr. Townsend Pncouraged the fellow, and so did old Rogers, indeed. The more I watched old Rogers and his son the more I be came convinced that I had wronged them in thinking that they had robbed themselves. When we reached the stable the prisoner led us to a closet and there, under a pile of rubbish, we found the bonds stolen from old Rogers. He then confessed that he belonged to a gang of young bl)ll'glars led on by Dick Hill, and it was they who had stolen the things from Rogers' house. He told us a good many other things about throwing the blame on me, and he confessed that it was his wicked mother who had put him up to the job. It seems that the woman hated me for some secret reason, from the moment she caugh sight of me at the Battery in New York. The prisoner, whose real name was Bob Ferris, was her son by a former husband. The young rogue had been brought up in the city of New York, and he ha gone to the bad at a very early age. After he had told a good deal the detective turned on him and asked: "Were you down on this young fellow here?" "Ndt a bit." "Then why did you try to throw all the blame on him?" "Tha was the old woman's idea, as she had some spite against the Irish fellow." "How did you come to imitate his voice and his looks so well, as we can see that you are fixed up like him," inquired thr detective. The young rogue smiled proudly as he replied: "Oh, you must know that I have been on the stage, and I saw this young fellow here several times when I came here to se-my mother on the sly." "Was it she planned the robbery in the academy to-night?" "Yes, it was." / The young rascal then went on to explain that his mother was negotiating, through a party in New York, for the return of the bonds to old Rogers, and that she suggested to the gang the robbing of the academy while securing the bonds in the stable at the same time. The detective then turned to old Rogers and asked: "Were you negotiating for the return of the bonds, sir?" "I was that, and the man in New York promised me that would get them in the morning, on the payment of a thousan
PAGE 19

18 A POOR IRISH BOY. with him. I believed that he was in with Dennis here in the robbery that night, and I hoped to pump him and get back the bonds." "Do you believe that Dennis here was in with him now?" asked the detective. The young fellow faltered a little, and cast an ugly frown at me ere he replied: "I don't see that he has cleared himself yet." I didn't say a word to chat, while the detective went on say ing: "Is it not true, young fellow, that you threatened to crush this Irish boy?" "The young fellow gave me sauce, and I may have threatened to give him a good licking some day." "Do you think you are able to do it now?" inquired the de tective. "I would like to have the chance." Speaking for the first time as I felt like doing, I went up to young Rogers and shook my fist in his face as I said to him: "You big, bully hound, you have been playing the tyrant over me, and abusing me ever since the first day I met you, and I now want you to know that I am ready and willing to have it out with you as soon as you like." "We'll settle that work hereafter," cried the detective as he turned to the justice of the peace with a grin, "as we can't have any fighting before this gentleman." Old Rogers had some good in him after all, and he clapped me on the shoulder as he said: "I don't believe this lad had anything to do with the rob bery at all, and I will be his friend herJiafter." Mr. Townsend and the justice of the peace then interfered when the detective proposed that Mrs. James should be ar rested at once. t Some of them then hastened back into the academy only to find that the spiteful woman had fled. Before leaving the place that night a thorough investigation was made of the whole business. and it was fully proved that Mrs. James and her wicked son were at the bottqm of the rob beries. It was also proved that I was innocent, and the decent men present promised to befriend me thereafter. Poor Professor James was in a terrible state over the disgrace to his wife, and Edna felt very bad, too, although she never liked her step-mother. CHAPTER X. THE TIDE FLOWS ON. I had plenty to think about on the day after the attempted robbery at the academy. The confession of Bob Ferris and the exposure of the plot against me by his spiteful mother, together with her flight, served to vindicate me to a great extent, and yet I was not thoroughly cleared of the first charge against me. The arrest of four others followed soon after, but Dick Hill, their clever leader, managed to escape. Mrs. James could not be discovered during the following day, though many suspected that she was still concealed in the academy. Professor James was terribly crestfallen over the exposure, and Edna felt the disgrace also, although the wicked woman was only her step-mother. One thing puzzled me very much, and that was the remarkable resemblance that Bob Ferris bore to me. I saw the young rogue again on the following day, before he was removed to the county jail, and I noticed that he still spoke with an accent fully as strong as my own, even when speaking in the most serious tones. My father and Mary, as well as my other friends, were also very much surp11ised at the resemblance, but'no one could account for it. On questioning my father I learned that he had an older brother, who had been a very wild lad in Ireland in his youth, and whom he had not heard from for more than twenty years. That uncle of mine had enlisted in the English army, and tt was reported that he deserted in Canada, but my father could not give me any definite information about him. I then asked myself if that uncle of mine could have been the father of the young rogue who resembled me so much, and I even put the question to my father, who shook his head as he answered: "I don't know what to say, son. My brother did look like me, and so do you. He was a wild clip, and I hope you will never take after him." When I told my father about the fight I was engaged in with Wellington Rogers he became very angry with me at first, and said: "It is the height of folly, sir, and I know that you are not able to do the big bully at all. You will get a fine beating for your trouble. and then he will impose on you more than ever From the information we received from the prisoner, and led to by the detective from New York, we started out in search of the other and we had three more of them afterward." "But would you want me to keep on playing the coward, sit, in jail at daylight the following morning. Old Rogers was inclined to make friends with my father and I, but we would not have any of his patronage and we bluntly told him so. Young Wellington came to me on the following morning, and he said to me: "Do you think you are able to fight me?" "I am able to try," I replied. "Well, then, you have got to try and we will have it out this evening." "I am ready." "And I want to tell you one thing," continued the young bully, "and that is that this_place isn't big enough to hold the two of us. If I lick you. as I am bound to do, I am going to run you out of this village, and the towns around it as well." "You will have to lick me first," I answered. We then settled about the fight, and it was agreed that we should have a quiet affair of it. It would be folly for me to say that I wasn't nervous during the day about the fight, but you may be certain that I made up my mind to do my very best and to surprise those who thought that the big bully had an easy victory over me. and letting him impose on me?" I could see that my poor father was very much troubled over the affair. as it was evident that he did not want me to play the cur. while he was afraid that the big bully would punish me very severely in the encounter. We were talking over the affair in the stable of the academy in the afternoon, and Ajax came in at the moment and clapped me on the shoulder as he said to my father: "Don't you worry your head 'bout Dennis here getting lick ed, sah, as I bets my bottom dollar he knocks the whole head off ob young Well Rogers." The kindly negro then went on to explain that he had given me some lessons in the manly art. and he called on my father to teel my arm. It was only natural that my father should feel anxious about me in the contest. and I know that he would willingly take a dozen beatings rather than witness it. Yet the old fire was burning strong in him still, and I was certain that he meditated tackling old Rogers himself at the first favorable opportunity. Yet father had become a lover of peace and order, and he knew that it would not redound to our credit for either

PAGE 20

A POOR IRISH'. BOY. 19 of us to engage in a fistic encounter with Rogers or his son, while he felt that we had both been imposed on, and that even the law-abiding citizens of the place could not blame us much for retaliating on our persecutors. About an hour before the time appointed for my fight with Well Rogers, Edna James came to 'me with a very sad face, saying: "Dennis, I hear that you are going to fight with Well Rog ers this evening, and I want to know if it is true?" As I looked in the face of the good young lady who had been my friend all through, I could not tell her a lie, and so I an swered: "You know, Miss Edna, that he has been imposing on me very much." "I know he has, but you must promise me not to fight with him, or I'll never speak to you again. I know what you will say as an excuse for fighting, and that is that you will be call ed a coward, Dennis, but you must promise me for all that." I shook my head sadly, and looked down at the ground as I replied: "It would grieve me to the heart, Miss Edna, if I thought that you would never speak to me again, but don't you think that I have no spirit in me if I am only a poor Irish boy. I have put up with his insults and his abuse too long already, and I would sooner be dead than bear them again without turning on him." The young girl sighed, and was turning away as she said to me in .her sad tones: "I know it is very difficult to bear what you do, Dennis, but I only ask you to do so for your own sake, as I know that it will make a great difference to you here if they continue your enemies." "How is that, Miss Edna?" I asked, as I saw that she was keeping something back. The good girl hesitated a moment, and then turned to me again, saying: "It is a secret, but I know that you will not betray it. My poor father is now completely in the power of old Mr. and he will persecute him hereafter more than you can think if you should happen to punish his son. He will be compelled to send you away from here in that case, and I know now he means well to you." I understood the professor's position at once, and my heart was bursting as I replied: "I will do anything you say, Miss Edna, but it will be hard to be called a coward. and to put. up with the abuse' I will get "Pm young Rogers and all the other boys about here hereafter." "But don't you fear that he will beat you almost to death?" "I don't think so, miss; and it is better even to take a good beating than to be branded a coward forever, as I am sure to be." The good girl hesitated a moment or two as if making up her mind what to say, and then she spoke out, saying: "I don't want you to be called a coward forever, or to feel that you cannot resist an insult. Try to get out of the fight if you can with honor, and if you can't, do your best to pun ish the cruel young wretch, as I can never forget the day he knocked you down with the bat." As the bright little lady said the last words she clasped her hands in mine for a moment and then ran away as fast as she could. I then made up my mind that I would do my best to beat I do know that he gave me an awful mauling at first, and that his father jeered at me while he cried out to his son: "Give it to. the Irish cur, my lad, and let him see that an Englishman can lick a Paddy any day." The old fellow spoke with a decided Cockney accent that I will not attempt to imitate, but I must say that from that day to this the voice of a blustering Englishman has been hateful to me. My father did not say a word for some time while I was get ting the worst of it, but he did give vent to his feelings at last in some words spoken in the Irish tongue, and those words meant: "Take it easy, my son, and aim at the Sassenach's eyes every time." Ajax gave me some very good advice at the same time, but I didn't mind it at all, as the Irish words kept ringing in my ears, while my Celtic heart responded to them. It seemed to me at the time that the whole history of my country's wrongs thronged to my mind, and I felt like the heroes of the Irish Brigade charging in a famous battle, when the poet wrote of them: "Each looked as if revenge for all Were staked in him alone." And maybe I didn't fly at my opponent's eyes after that. It was little I cared for the blows I received in turn, it was little I heeded the taunts and jeers heaped on me by old Rog ers, and I did not even mind the cheering words of encourage ment that fell from Ajax and Marcus Townsend. My whole heart and soul was in the fight, and when the tide .once turned in my favor I kept at the big bully before me untd I punished him to my heart's content. Old Rogers was furious when he saw his son stretched help less on the ground before me at last, and he danced and raved like a madman, as he cried: "I can whip the young cub and his father together, and I'll do it before I leave the ground." My father then went up to the old bully and said to him in a very quiet way: "You took advantage of me some time ago when I wasn't in good trim, hut I warn you now to let him alone hereafter." Old Rogers was in the act of throwing off his coat-and he blustered and foamed like a mad bull-when Professor James, Lawyer Townsend, and the justice of the peace appeared on the scene and put a stop to any more fighting. When old Rogers and his friends took away my opponent, I spoke to Professor James, saying: "I want to tell you, sir, that I am going to leave your place, as I don't want to do you an injury by stopping here now." Then Lawyer Townsend spoke up, saying: "You must not leave here, Dennis, but you must enter the academy as a pupil, and I will be responsible for all your ex penses." I was going to refuse the kindly offer in as civil tones as I could, when young Marcus' drew me aside and whispered into my ear: "Don't make a fool of yourself by refusing, Denny, as you will never have such a chance in your life again. Father has taken a great liking to you, and he is bound to give you a lift in the world." I thought of Edna at the moment, and I didn't refuse the offer. Then I said to myself: Well Rogers, and to throw up my chance in the academy if I "I would be ungrateful, indeed, if I refused the kind offer, succeeded in conquering him, so that no blame could fall upon and who knows but I can pay the good gentleman back some Professor James. time in my life. But I must soon see about making my own We met in the secluded grove at the appointed hour, but you living as well while fighting my own way through life." mustn't ask me to give you a regular description of the fight. I couldn't describe to you the great joy of Ajax and his fat I can only say that I was not at all frightened at the size of wife after my victory, and the good black fellow would clap my opponent, although he stood nearly a head over me, and me on the shoulder over and over again as he would say to he appeared to be so much stronger as well. me:

PAGE 21

20 A. POOR IRISH BOY. "Golly, Dennis, I thought you was a goner at de fust of de fight, but you fotched him at last and no mistake about it." And I would clasp the kindly colored man by the hand as I would reply: "I may thank you for beating him, Ajax, and I only hope to live to see the day that I can do as good a turn for you." On the following week I was installed as a day scholar in. the academy, and Lawyer Townsend and Marcus insisted that I should live with them in the meantime. I agreed to the proposition on condition that I should be al lowed to assist the good lawyer in his office after school hours, and as I already wrote a good plain hand, I was happy to know that I could be of some use to him. While my fight with the bully of the academy had given me a certain reputation, my future life there was not the most agreeable in the world. Old Rogers became a prominent man again on the recovery of his bonds, and he seemed to live with but one object in life. That object appeared to be to crush the poor Irish lad who had defeated his son and to persecute his family as well. Young Wellington soon recovered from the beating I' had given him. and he returned to the academy with the declared intention of paying me back in time. In the meantime Bob Ferris and his associates were tried and convicted, and I was honorably acquitted of all blame in the robberies. If I surprised some of the boys by beatil).g the bully of the school in a fair fight, I also astonished them by my educational young son, had escaped from prison, and that he was seen moving in the direction of our village. Although nothing was proved against him I always had an idea that young Well Rogers had something to do with the gang of burglars, and that he was better acquainted with Bob Ferris than he pretended to be. I was a little troubled on hearing that the young rogue who resembled me so much was out on the world again, as I had a presentiment that he would renew his operations around the village, and that I would get into another scrape on his account. While I dreaded meeting the rogue, I was a little eager to ask him a few questions about his father and mother, in order to set my mind at rest on a certain point. And it was destined that I was to encounter my double soon er than I expected. CHAPTER XI. IN ANOTHER BAD SCRAPE. As I look back now, I can well realize what a splendid thing it is for a poor boy to receive a helping hand in the early struggles of life. I have heard men boast that they fought their own way to fame or fortune, and that they had no one to thank but themselves, but if such is the case they must be rare excep tions, indeed. acquirements before I was long at the academy. How many young boys and men fail in the struggle and fall Many of them sympathized with the poor Irish boy, and en-into the paths of crime and misfortune, when a little en couraged me to greater effort, while others sided with Well couragement or kindly aid may have sent them on to the right Rogers and pretended to look down on me as an intruder among them. Marcus Townsend always stood to me in the most earnt;" s t manner, and he would often i9'sist on sharing his pocket money with me, well knowing that it was difficult for me to keep up an appearance with the other boys of my age. My father got a position as a foreman on the track soon afroad to success. Although Mr. Townsend did give me a splendid push, as well as a lift out of the mire, he also taught me that I must rel.y on myself in the main, and he preached the same to his own son. He often told us that the greatest and most prosperous of the leading men of the nation were the sons of poor parents, ter, my sister got a situation as a governess over two young that wealthy people often spoiled their children by too much children in the village and I.made myself so useful to the indulgence, and that self-reliance was the best safeguard and good lawyer that he gave me to understand that I more than rpotto for young people. repaid him for the expenses I was under. Therefore, while I was encouraged to persevere in my up-The world went well with us all for about one year, and I hill fight, I was also given to understand that I would only be am happy to say that I improved at the academy, not only in upheld as I deserved, and that on my own exertions principal my learning, but in my manners and in my conversation as ly depended my success in life. well Winter was closing in again, and there was snow on 1' It is very true that my name was still Dennis, and that I ground about the time that we heard of the escape of tnuc was looked down upon by many of my schoolmates, yet the young rogue. Bob Ferris .spiteful ones were very careful to cast slurs at me only behind Although the rascal had entered into the plot against me my back. with his wicked and spiteful mother, somehow or another I Acting under the advice of my good mother and Mr. Town-did not feel very bitter toward him, and a feeling of pity send, I curbed my temper a good deal, and I did not get into would come into my heart now and then as I thought of him. many quarrels during that time. I can't say what put the young fellow into my head one I was anxious to learn some useful trade or business, but evening as I was riding toward the village in Mr. Town Mr. Townsend and Marcus prevailed on me to remain at the send's buggy, but I did think of him, and I pictured the suf academy, and the little loadstone was still there that was al-ferings he must have endured while escaping from the strong ways destined to attract me through life. prison, in crossing the broad North River, and then in making During the year mentioned Well Rogers did not attempt to his way through a country where almost every hand would be trouble me again, although I became his rival in the baseball raised against him. field when Marcus Townsend went to New York city to college. From what I had seen of Bob Ferris I judged that he was I knew that he was keeping it in for me, however, and that naturally a merry rogue, and I fancied that he might have his father was also inciting him in various ways, while the old been a good young fellow if his early training had been dif-man often attempted to provoke a quarrel with my father. ferent. During the year we never heard a word about Mrs. James, I was about three miles f r pm Middleville, and the snow was but it was easy to see that the professor was a crushed man, falling pretty fast at the time, when I espied some one walking and it was that his wife dragged a good deal of money along the road ahead of ine in the gloom of the evening. out of him on the Quiet No thought of danger .occurred to me at the moment, al-It was rumored tnat she was living in the city of N'ew York. though I had over five hund.red dollars in my pocket belonging After I was over a year as a regular scholar at the academy to Mr. Townsend, which I had collected in a neighboring town. 'We received information that Bob Ferris. Mrs. James' wild Highw:ay robbers were very scarce in the neighborhood since

PAGE 22

A POOR IRISH BOY. 21 the breaking up of Dick Hill's gang, and I had a good heavy whip in case of necessity. I did grasp that whip a little tighter as I drew near the fel low on the road, who looked back at me as he moved to the side of the highway. Then I saw that he was a negro, and that he carried a stout stick in his right band. As I was in the act of passing him, he suddenly cried out: "Say, boss, how far am it to Middleville?" I pulled up a little as I answered: giving me a sly knock when off my guard, and so I picked up his stick and flung it away as far as I could, as I responded: "Of course I will have to take you to jail, but I'll break your head first if you attempt to turn on me again." I had picked up my good whip the moment I got the best of him, and I still held the heavy end up over him as I spoke, while I was very much puzzled at the same time as to how I should manage in getting into the village. The truth was that I pitied the poor rogue in my inmost heart, and the brave way in which he had fought me made "Nearly three miles." me admire him the more. The black fellow increased bis speed, and as I kept my eye As I kept my foot on bis breast I felt that be was becoming <>n him I noticed that he was a rough-looking old customer quieter and quieter, and then I turned pale myself, as I gasped with a grayish beard, about my own size. forth: I was urging on the horse again, when the fellow trotted on after me crying: Say, boss, could 1you gib a poor black fellah a ride to de vil lage, as I be ready to drop down I is dat played out." I was always an impulsive kind of a fellow, and I took pity on the black man at once. as I pulled up crying: "Yes, get in, and I will take you to the village." The man jumped into the wagon on the instant, and as he took a seat beside me I got a closer glimpse at his eyes. That glimpse told me at once with whom I had to deal on the lonely road, while at the same instant I made up my mind as to how I should act. Grasping the whip in the middle, I seized the fellow sud denly by the throat, letting the reins fall at the same time, while I called on the well-trained horse to keep still. The horse obeyed me at once, and I kept the fellow clutched by the throat with my left hand and raised the whip with my right to strike him as I cried out in angry tones: "I \mow you yo1'rogue, and I'll knock your head in if you attempt any of your tricks on me." The feBow seemed to be stupefied for a moment or so, and he then gasped forth: "WtJat in the thunder do you mean, boss?" Even while he was speaking he made a desperate attempt to break away from me and to use his stick against me. I only hit him one blow when he fell out of the wagon, clutching at me at the same time and dragging me out with him. We then rolled in the snow, which was not very deep at the time, fighting and struggling away at a furious rate, while I kept calling on the horse to stand still on the road. The fellow fought like the mischief, and so did I, as I knew it would go bard with me if he got the best of me. "Mercy on me! I hope in goodness I haven't killed the poor rascal!" I then fell on my knees and rubbed his face with the snow till the black stuff thereon came off, while I kept groaning to myself: "Heaven preserve me from having the life of the poor fellow to answer for, bad as he was and I would give my right hand to see him open his eyes and speak to me again." Bob Ferris did open his eyes at the moment, giving a great sigh at the same time, as he gasped forth: "It is all up with me, I know, but if you have a heart in you at all take me to the village at once and give me something to eat and drink." I then remarked that he spoke with the Irish brogue as natural as possible, while he used the negro dialect before we commenced -the fight. Without waiting to think of the consequences, I lifted the poor fellow into the wagon, jumped in beside him, and drove off as I said to him: "I won't leave you to die like a dog anyhow, whatever your faults may be." Bob look e d at me as we rattled along through the snow, and he asked: "Do you think that I meant to Jay you out when I asked for a ride to the village?" "To be sure I do. "I swear to goodness you were wrong, and bad cess to me if I thought only of getting to some shelter for the night and some grub, as I am nearly starving as a fellow can be, as I didn't have anything to eat for nearly two days and nights." "Who are you going to in the village?" I asked, thinking of young Rogers the while. "What's the use in telling you, now, as I ain't going to give 3et I didn't aim to hurt the rascal much, as I only tried to any one away." overpower him or stun him for the time, so that he could not "Then why did you betray your own mother the night you injure me. While fighting at such close quarters we could not use the whip or stick very much, and I soon dropped my weapon while I grasped at his with one hand so as to keep him from hitting me with it. I thought I was able for any young fellow of size at the time, but I tell you he gave me enough of it at first, and no mistake. And I candidly admit that I believe that he would have licked me if he had been in the same condition as I was. As it happened, however, I got the best of him at last, and I stood over him as he lay in the snow, with my foot planted on bis breast and the whip upraised as I cried: "I have got you n9w, Bob Ferris." The disguised wretch was gasping for breath as he glared up at me and muttered: "Yes, Dennis Driscoll, you nave got the best of me, and I were taken?" The young rogue was recovering a good deal and a kind of a merry laugh came from him before he replied: "Why did I give the old woman away? Why, 'cause she de sel'.ved it, you can bet." "But if she is your mother, you should be true to her, what ever she is," I said, thinking of drawing the young rogue out. "I don't know whether she is my mother or not, but if she is, I ain't got to thank her for much, you can bet, or I would never give her away." Not trusting the young rogue, I kept myself in readiness to pounce on him again, as I asked: "Did you ever know your father?" A merrier chuckle broke from the young fellow ere he re plied: "Of course I know him; and you can bet that he is the right am a goner." sort, if he is cr9oked The poor fellow closed his eyes, and I could hear his breast "What is his name?" heaving under me, as he moaned forth: "I am called after him and I look just like him, only I am "I am played out, and you can lug me to jail as soon as you not quite as much of a Mick." like." "Was he married to Mrs. James, and do you think that she I thought he might be foxing at the time with the view of is your real mother?"

PAGE 23

22 A POOR IRISH BOY. "Why, I always thought so, as we all lived together down in again, and that he would tell all about my adventure with York until he got into a bad scrape and was sent to prison. him; and yet I had some confidence in the fellow's honor. Then the old woman shook me and became respectable when Three days passed away and I didn't see or hear anything she married Professor James." more of the young rogue, while I hoped that he went to New "Were you born in Ireland?" I asked. York to lead a different life. "Not much. I was born and reared down in the Fourth On the third night after meeting with the escaped convict, Ward, New York, but.the old man is Irish, and he has got the Mr. Townsend went away to the city of New York, and I was brogue on him yet as thick as mud." left alone in the house with his housekeeper and the servant "Is he in priso now?" girl. "Not he, that I knows of. But what are you asking me I spent the evening with my father and mother, and it was all these questions about; and what are you going to do with after ten o clock when I let myself in with a latch-key and me?" stole quietly into bed. I pondered a moment or so before I replied by asking: "Do you ever think of turning over a new leaf if you had a chance?" The rogue shrugged his shoulders and grinned before he replied: "I never got no chance, and it ain't likely I will now, so there is no use in putting suc h a question to me." "But supposing I were to let you off now, and give you a chance to mend, would you promise me to try your hand at being a good boy?" The fellow looked at me as if he thought I was humbugging him, and then he asked: "What are you giving me, Dennis Driscoll?" "I mean what I say," I earnestly replied, as I pulled up outside the village. "If you will promise me to try and be a good boy, I will let you off, as I hate ta be the one to send you back to prison." The young rogue still stared at me, as if he believed that I was only humbugging him, and I could then see another angry flash in his eyes, while he cried: "Look young fellow, don't be piling water on a drowned rat. You got the best of me to-night because I was played out, and you can do It again, but I want you to know I had queer dreams that night, but I will not attempt to describe them, as my adventures on awaking were stranger still. Just at daylight I was aroused by a loud ringing at the door bell, and I hurried on with my clothes, thinking that it was Mr. Townsend, who had returned unexpectedly on some im portant business. When I got down-stairs the servant girl had just opened the door, and then two men pushed into the hallway, while one of them cried: "Where is Dennis Driscoll?" "Here I am," I answered. The two men sprang at me on the instant, and each of them grabbed me by the shoulder, as one of them cried: "We arrest you for highway robbery, Driscoll, and you will come with us at once ." CHAPTER XII. THE NEW CHARGE AGAINST ME. The moment I heard the charge against me, I felt In my heart that Bob Ferris was the cause of getting me into the that I won't be in the stone jug forever, and I'll Jay you out as new scrape. soon as I ever get out if you don't drop that game now." The two men who me were the constables of the Putting my hand in my pocket I drew out some little change village, and they both knew me right well. I had of my own and handed it to him, as I said: If it had been the first time that I was thus suddenly accus"I am not humbugging you, my poor fellow, as I pity you ed of a crime, I suppose I would have been terribly frightened, from my heart. If you have any friends in the village go to innocent as I was; but I must say I was prepared for some them for a shelter to-night, and I only wish that I could help such trick. you more, and that you will become a good boy hereafter." The meeting with Bob Ferris, my terrible dreams, and the The young rogue grabbed the money and sprang out of the presentiment that was hanging over me, all served to prepare wagon, as he replied: me in a measure, yet how could I avoid shuddering, for all "May I never have a day's luck if I don't remember this turn that? for you, Dennis Driscoll. And now I want to give you one I must have taken the matter very cool, however, as I hear,.. advice." the constables afterward remark that I was a sharp custom', "What is that?" I and that they were disappointed in my conduct. "Look out for young Well Rogers, as he has sworn to lay' Realizing where the mischief came from, I didn't ask many you out somehow." questions of the two men, but I turned to the servant girl, sayI looked earnestly at the chap, and I held my hand out to ing: him as I asked: "Molly, be kind enough to bring me down my overcoat and "Will you tell me if young Well Rogers belonged to your hat, and then please telegraph to Mr. Townsend that I am in crowd?" trouble." He shook his head very seriously, and turned to walk away "But sure you didn't do it at all!" cried Molly, who was a as he replied: kindly creature. "I am not giving any one away just now, but I may see you I smiled in a confident manner and then replied: later." "You may swear I didn't, Molly. Don't tell n'l.y people any-He then sprang over the fence and soon disappeared in thl' thmg about it until Mr. Townsend comes back. gloom, while I drove on muttering to myself: I then noticed the two constables grinningi in a peculiar "I know that I was a fool to -night, but hang me if I could manner as we stood under the lamplight in the hallway, and help it. That poor fellow has some good in him, and I would one of them remarked: never forgive myself if I was the means of sending him back "The old folks may know all about it sooner than you to prison after he made such a brave effort to get away." think." I was troubled enough that night over the meeting, and Early as it was in the morning, several persons soon assem-fool that I was, I didn't tell a single soul about it. bled outside the door of the house, and then in marched old I dreamed about Bob Ferris and his black face all night Rogers with a wicked grin on his face as he cried: long, and I thought about him on the following day while "And ,so the Irish hound is at it again. I knew he would be studying at the academy. found out in the long run, for give a rogue enough rope and Every moment I expected to hear that he was arrested you may be certain that he will hang himself in the end."

PAGE 24

A POOR IRISH BOY. 23 I had become a little more dignified in my manner since I had occasion to talk to the old bully last, and I replied in quiet tones: "Mr. Rogers, you are not much of a man, or you would not talk that way, even if you were certain of my guilt, which I do not beli e ve you are." The constables interrupted any further conversation by one of them saying: "We must search his room, and I ask you, Mr. Rogers, to watch the prisoner while we do it." Before I knew where I was they clapped my hands together and slipped the handcuffs on my wrists. Then old Rogers grabbed me by the shoulder and shook his is a long lane that has no turning, and you will suffer for it all yet." Old Rogers laughed scornfully, and so did the son, while the former cried: "The old Greek is bluffing it out like the young one, but it is all up with the pair of them this time, and I'll bet my pile on it." "How much will you bet?" cried a manly voice. And Mr. Townsend forced his way through the crowd had assembled in the office. "Anything you like," cried old Rogers. that "Order, gentlemen," cried the justice of the peace. "I am pre pared to examine the prisoner." fist at my head, as he cried: "I'll fix him if he attempts to stir until you I can't tell much about the examination, as it appeared to come down me as if I was in a kind of a dream all through it, while again." Four or five others of the villagers had then entered the hallway, and I turned to them, crying: "Gentlemen, I call. on you to protect me from this man, as 1 feel that he will try to kill me if he gets the least chance. I am innocent, as I was before, and I believe that he knows it." Two of the gentlemen who knew me well then stepped for ward, and one of them said: "See here, Rogers, I don't think there is any occasion to be so rough on Driscoll, as I for one will be responsible for him.' "And so will I!" cried the other. my mind was actively at work. From what Bob Ferris had told me, I suspected that he and his father were the real criminals. and that they both re sembled us enough in looks and voices to have Mr. Dobson take them for us. The paymaster knew my father well, and he swore that he was attacked by two masked men while on his way home to the hill, about three o'clock on the previous night. After they knocked him down senseless, as they supposed, they proceeded to take the money from him, which was over two thousand dollars in bills that he had to pay the hands on Old Rogers glared at me in a strange manner as he grum-the road on the following day. bled forth: Mr. Dobson declared that he couldn't have been senseless "All right, gentlemen. The cove got off before by tricks, but you can bet that he won't get off this time." I turned away with a look of disgust and took a seat in the broad hallway to wait until the search of the officers was over. It was all I could do to keep my temper with old Rogers, and I felt that I would make a kick at him or strike him with my handcuffed hands if he said much more to me. As if to add to my mortification, young Well soon came into the hallway and glared at me in triumph as he cried: "They have got the old Irish robber, too, and we will send the two Micks up together. Forgetting myself, I sprang to my feet as I demanded: "What do you mean?" "The old Greek, your father, of course. How green you pre tend to be when you want to, but it won't work this time.'' And the young rascal laughed scornfully, while my heart rose to my mouth as I turned to one of the gentlemen present and asked: "Is it possible that my father is accused also?" "I believe it is," replied the gentleman. "What are we accused of, sir?" "Of robbing Mr. Dobson, the paymaster of the branch road, as he was on his way home last night." I gasped for breath, and my heart was beating violently as I asked: "Who makes the charge against me?" "Mr. Dobson himself. He recognized you both when the wind blew the masks off your faces after you thought you had him knocked senseless. Did you find anything in his bed room, officers?" The two constables came down at the moment, and one of them replied: "Not a thing.'' "Of course not," cried Well Rogers. "He is not green enough, if he is a Mick, to bring the stuff home here to give more than a few moments, and when he did come to he kept still, fearing that the robbers would kill him if he let on he knew them. While the robbers were taking away the money a gust of wind swept along and blew the black crape from their faces. Then it was that he recognized the rascals, and he also swore positively that he knew our voices well, even before saw our faces. The paymaster did not show the least spiteful feeling against either of us, as he gave his evidence just like any honest man would who was firmly convinced that he was stat ing the truth. As I heard that evidence how I did blame myself for not saying a word to any one about meeting with Bob Ferris, and yet I can't say that I upbraided myself much for letting that young rogue get away. If I had only myself to suffer for it, I believe that I would do the same over again, as it would go against my grain to hound down any poor wretch who was in such a sad plight as he was that night. We were both committed to the county jail, as no one offer ed to go bail for us, and we did not expect it. Mr. Townsend still stuck to us, however, and he soon got a chance of having a confidential talk with me as our lawyer. I at once told the good man about my meeting with Bob Ferris and what followed after. He shook his head in a very serious manner when I told him that I believed the robbery had been committed by Bob and his fathe r, and he then said to me: "That story would never go down with a jury, Dennis, un less we can produce the father and son, and they resemble your father and yourself very much. You certainly got out of the other trouble all right, but the mere fact of your having been accused before will weigh against you now." I shuddered as I heard the plain truth thus presented to me, and I then said: him away. "We can certainly prove, sir, that we have led honest lives The day was breaking as they led me away to the house of since we first came to this village, and who can say a word the justice of the peace. to my poor father?" There I found my poor father in the charge of three or four "If your father can prove that he was elsewhere at the time of the citizens of the village, and I'll never forget the expres-the robbery was committed, he will be all right," answered sion on his face as he looked at old Rogers, ,and cried: lawyer. "Did the folks in the house hear you getting }n last "This is some more of your dirty work, I'll be bound, but it night?"

PAGE 25

24 A POOR IRISH BOY. "I don't think they did, sir, as I went in very easily, so as ward old Rogers' house in the village, which was reported to not to disturb them." be a for the wild young fellows in the neighbor-He then turned to question my father; and we were both hood. dismayed when the old man confessed that he couldn't prove The reason of my going to the place that night was that I that he was elsewhere at the time either. heard it rumored that young Well Rogers had been seen near The truth was, iy father left me the night before to go to there with two strangers, and I couldn't get it out of my head a wake on the outskirts of the village. that he was plotting and planning against me in my present He admitted that he drank a little too much in a tavern near trouble. the wake-house, and that he started for home a little before twe lve o'clock. Not caring to let my mother see that he was under the in fluence, the old man walked around the village for over an hour before going to the house, and it was just about thltt time that the robbery was committed. So it can be readily seen that neither of us could prove an alibi, and our only hope of getting off was to produce the real criminals with the money in their possession, so that the pay master could see how he had made the mistake. Mr. Townsend took up my idea of the affair at once and he believed that we were innocent; but I must own that I couldn't blame other people under the circumstances, for believing us guilty. While I am talking in this strain I may just as. well mention that there was one other person who had faith in me still. That person was Edna James, and she let me know before the d was over that she not only believed me innocent, but that she strongly suspected who the guilty parties were. Mr. Townsend told the justice in confidence about my meet ing with Bob Ferris, and he called to his mind the remarkable resemblance between us, which had been noticed before on the night of the attempted robbery at the academy. The justice admitted that the likeness was remarkable, and that it was possible for the escaped young convict to be one of the robbers, but he couldn't conceive bow the father of the culprit could resemble my old man so much also. However, s -:ret :i.easures were taken by Mr. Townsend to arrest Bob Ferris !and his father, if possible, and Mr. Tom Jones, the New York detective who had befriended me before, was sent for again. When I was only twenty-four hours in the jail I begged Mr. Townsend to get me out on bail, as I said to him: "I believe in my heart, sir, that if I was free to act I would soon clear my father and myself, as I have an idea how to go to work if I could only put it in force "What do you propose to do, Dennis?" "To find Bob Ferris and his father with some of the money on them and to show the people, and Mr. Dobson in particular, how they were mistaken." I was so earnest in my request, and in my belief that Mr. Townsend did succeed in getting me out on bail that after noon; but my poor father was still kept in confinement at own request. I got back to the village that night so disguised that my own mother wouldn't know me. A strong feeling was on me also that I would soon meet with Bob Ferris again, and that he would aid me in getting out of the scrape. Of course I didn't expect that the young rogue would give himself up willingly to clear me, yet I had a feeling that there was some manhood in him, although it may take some hard rubbing to draw it out. As we walked along together I told Ajax what my purpose was in visiting Rogers' house, and we were both prepared with good weapons in case of need. Ajax was well acquainted with the colored cook working for Rogers, and he was often in the habit of paying her a visit in the kitchen of an evening. On going in the back way and knocking. at the door, the cook, who was a stout old colored woman, us in at once and offered us seats. On casting my eyes around I soon saw a door leading into a back room, which had a glass opening at the top', and over which hung a reddish screen. At the moment when my eyes fell on the door the screen was moved aside, and a face appeared there which I did not expect to see. It was the face of a hard-featured woman, and I at once re cognized it as that of Mrs. James. Although apparently as quiet as possible, my heart thumped against my side at the moment, for I felt that her son was not far off either. CHAPTER XIII. PLAYING THE DETECTIVE Ajax did not make any attempt at disguising himself, and there was nothing unusual in his appearing at the house. As the big negro was a leader of the colored sports in the village and their champion in all athletic games as well, he was very popular. with his friends, several of whom visited Rogers' house. He soon introduced me as an old friend up from Brooklyn,_ who was looking for wo .rk, and I had all the appearance of ri rough colored man of thirty years of age. Of course, I knew that Mrs. James would recognize Ajax, but I felt positive that it would take even keener than she possessed to detect myself in the disguise I had assumed. The colored cook was soon summoned into the back room Taking a hint from Bob Ferris I fixed myself up as a black and then I knew that the spiteful woman inside was about to man, and I had been intimate with Ajax long enough to suit make inquiries concerning Ajax. his way of speaking. I was not at all alarmed at that, for the reasons already ex-When I reached the village in the darkness of the night, I plained, as I knew that the cook would tell her that the big had no clear idea in my mind as to how I was to set about ac-negro often appeared there. complishing my object, but something whispered to me that As the cook was coming out from the back room again I my double was still in the neighborhood, and that I could heard an uproarious voi c e inside, as if some drunken fellow make him act a manly part if I once got my hands and my was singing in a dlscordant voice and I the n said to myself: tongue on him. The first person I called on in didn't I take a "rise out of him" l was. "That's Bob Ferris himself, as sure as death, and I'll wager my disguise was Ajax, and my life that he is drunk, or making believe to be, for some before I let him know who The experiment thus tried with my negro friend proved to me that my disguise was excellent, and that there was little <>r no danger of my being recognized either by friends or foes in the village. t Taking Ajax with me from the academy, we proceeded tor e a s on." When the cook came out again there was a broad smile on her face and she addressed Ajax with a grin as she said to him: "There is a lady inside there, old fellow who wants to talk to you." My colored friend had not seen the face at the glass door,

PAGE 26

A POOR IRISH BOY. 25 and I had no chance to give him a hint, so he answered with some surprise: "All right, aunty. Does de lady wants us in there to take tea wid her? You see I am got an ole friend wid me." "Bring your friend in with you," answered the cook as she moved back to the door again. I nudged Ajax to accept the offer, and we both followed the woman into the back room. Ajax was very much surprised when he saw Mrs. James, who arose to address him in friendly tones, saying: "How are you, Ajax? I suppose you are surprised to see me here?" The big negro grinned and chuckled, and I saw that he was fearfully confused, as he replied: "You bet I is, Missa James." "Hush, hush, and don't mention my name here," protested the spiteful woman as she handed a bank bill to my colored friend. "How are they all up in the academy, and how is 'Cause he am up for robbery." "The mischief he is!" cried Bob Ferris, as he strode toward the negro again. "Do you mean the young fellow what work ed up at de academy?" "That am de young fellah what I does mean." Bob Ferris slapped his hands on the negro's shoulder and stared hard into his eyes, as he demanded: "What did you say he is up for?" "For highway robbery." "When did it ?" "A couple of nights agone." "Who did he rob?" "Massa Dobson, the paymaster of de railroad what libs up on de hill." A fierce glare appeared in Bob's eyes and he shook the big negro, as he demanded: "Who says Denms Driscoll did that job, I would like to know?" Susan in particular?" Ajax then told him how and when I was accused with my "Fust rate, missa." father, and that we were both then in the jail to await The woman then {vent on to ask various questions in as cool trial. a manner as if she had left the academy with flying colors, When my negro friend had concluded, Bob Ferris staggered while I took a back seat and kept my eyes and ears open. My eyes soon showed me a rough-looking fellow about my own size seated in the corner with his head down on his breast, and he mumbling away to himself like a drunken man who had just been aroused from a sound sleep. The face of the fellow was stained with black stuff of some kind, and so were his hands, while I could readily perceive back to his chair and bent his head on his breast again as he exclaimed: "Well, I'll be hanged if this isn't a queer grJ and no fnistake." I was watching the woman closely the while, and I was very much puzzled at the way in which she acted. She did not make the least effort to. stop Ajax in telling the that he wore a false beard and a wig. story, but, on the other hand, she appeared to encourage him. My ears told me that the voice was familiar to me, and I It was very evident to me that what Bob Ferris then heard soon made up my mind that I was in the presence of Bob was all news to him, but I could see that the woman was well Ferris. posted in our affairs beforehand. I was wondering what object Mrs. James could have in mak-What could be her object, then, in introducing Ajax and my-ing herself known to the big negro, who had never been a faself, and allowing the big negro to tell her rogue of a son about vorite with her when she was mistress at the academy, but I our arrest. soon saw what she was aiming at. I would have given the world at the moment to be able to The woman appeared to be very poor indeed, as far as you question Bob myself, and to find out if he had really anything could judge from her clothes, and yet she gave Ajax money. to do with the robbery. "I have been an abused woman," she said, "and I came up While I was thus ruminating an inner door opened and out here now to compel Professor James to do me justice." came a man muffled almost up to the eyes with the collar of his Bob Ferris was glaring around at us /1t the moment, and overcoat, while a soft felt hat was drawn down over his forewhen he heard the words thus uttered by his mother he growl-head. ed forth: The stranger nodded to the woman in a surly manner with"Stop that kind of talk, old w6man, and let us have another out saying a word, cast a suspicious glance at the big negro cigar," and myself, and he then bent his eyes on Bob Ferris as heA cigar was readily placed before the young rogue, and r grumbled forth: ould soon perceive that it was the woman's object to keep him "Hasn't this chap sobered up yet?" in good humor. I started on hearing the voice, and it was well for me that The young rogue had perceived Ajax, however, and he at the others were not observing me at the moment. once staggered over toward him, sobering himself up a little I even sprang up from my seat in surprise, and I would as he cried: have advanced to speak to the stranger only that Ajax turned "Hello, old fellow, I think I have struck on you somewhere and winked at me, saying: before." "Sit down, ole fe1lah, an' take a cup of coffee 'fore we goes." "I don't 'member you, sah." Ajax was playing his part better than I was, as he had also The woman sprang tlp almost on the Instant, and pushed her noticed the voice, as he afterward told me, and he could have troublesome son back into the chair, as she said to Ajax: sworn that it was my father who was speaking to Bob Ferris. "Don't mind that foolish fellow. He is a friend of mine in That young rogue shook himself at the moment and glared my present poverty, and he has been taking a little too much up at the muffled stranger, saying: lately." "I say. old man, did you hear anything about a job perform-Bob Ferris kept staring at the big negro, and I could see ed about here lately?" that he was sobering up more and more, while he raised his "What sort of a job, Bob?" voice again as he cried: "I say, old fellow, do you know a young fellow living around here called Dennis Driscoll? I tell you he's a trump, if ever there .... one in this world." I thought that the woman would interfere at the moment, but she did not, and Ajax gave a sly wink at me as he replied: "I knows a Dennis Driscoll what lived around here, but he ain't no good." "Whyain't he?" "Robbing a paymaster?" The stranger chuckled to himself a little, and then turned another suspicious glance at us before he replied, in surly tones: "Why, of course I heard about it, and you would have heard about it also if you hadn't been on a spree so long; but what have we got to do with that?" "Did you know that a young fellow named Dennis Driscoll has been jugged for the work, father?"

PAGE 27

A POOR IRISH BOY. "Well, what of that? I don't know any Dennis Driscoll "You get out of here for the present, and keep your mouth around here." shut." Bob Ferris rubbed his head, and he then took some water Well Rogers turned to the door as he grumbled forth: and dashed it in his own face as he grumbled forth: "I would like to know what he has got against me, to treat "The mischief take me if I don't sober up now, and I want me in that manner?" to have a talk with you, old ian." "Don't you see that he ls on a spree," replied the old man, The young fellow then rubbed his face with a soiled hand"and why don't you let him alone until I manage him? Get kerchief, caught his father by the arm and drew him suddenly out of here, I say, until I am certain what he is driving at." toward the back door as he said to him in somewhat agitated The old man then cast his eyes on us, and then looked at tones: Mrs. James with angry frowns as he demanded, in surly "I want to have a square talk with you, old man." tqnes: They then retired from the room, and I could hear them "WJ:iat are these black fellows doing here, and are they moving up the stairway, while I turned and watched Mrs. friends of yours?" James as I said to myself: Mrs. James looked a little frightened, glancing at Ajax as "I'll be hanged if I can make out the mystery at all. Bob she answered: Ferris acts to me as if he had nothing to do with the robbery, "That big man was employed up at the academy, and he was and that man, whoever he is, can't be my father's brother, or going to take a message there for me.'' he wouldn't take it so easy about us, if he had any nature in I kept watching the man while he was struggling with Bob him at all." Ferris, in the hope of getting a look at his face, but he kept Mrs. James did not seem to be at all troubled about the afhimself well muffled all through, as if anxious not to be rec fair I was so interested in. and she went on to coax Ajax into ognized. taking up a secret message to the professor. I did notice, however, that he was about the same size as When I saw that she took no interest in my affair I didn't my father, that his voice resembled the old man's very much. pay much attention to her, but I did keep my ears on the alert and that they had the same dark, flashing eyes when excited. for the retu n of the others. It was evident that Bob Ferris was cooling down again un While we were thus engaged the door leading into the der the influence of the man whom I believed to be his father, kitchen was opened, and in came another man, who was also as the young fellow sat quietly again as he grumbled forth: muffled up to the eyes. "It is not a fair game nohow, and you will say so, old man, On seeing Ajax the new-comer started a little, and he then when you know more about it." advanced .to speak to him, saying: Well Rogers had reached the door to go out into the front "Hello, Ajax! Have you come around to see the cook room, when he turned to address the old man again, saying: again?" "I would like to have a talk with you outsid,e, sir." I started again on hearing that voice, as I at once "I'll be out there pretty soon when I get this young fellow the speaker as my old enem}'-, Well Rogers. quieted down more, and I want you all to know that I won't The young rascal did not seem to be a bit abashed at Ajax have any rowing here." recognizing him, and he also addressed Mrs. James in friendly Giving Ajax a hint we both retreated out into the yard, tones, saying: when Well Rogers was on the street talking to some of the "How are you, Mrs. James? Ain't you afraid of Ajax giving wild young fellows of the village. you away?" I was very much puzzled at the whole business, as I couldn't Before the woman could reply Ajax answered J.n angry understand what my young enemy was up to, and I was equally at a 0loss how to account for the actions of the spiteful "I ain't on that lay, Massa Rogers, and you can just gamble woman. dat it am not a poor lady I would be de fust to turn on .noThen the words and acts of Bob :Ferris puzzled me very how." much also. Before any more could be said, heavy steps were heard on While it was very evident that he wanted to save me, I had the stairs, and then Bob Ferris burst into the room followed my doubts as to whether he had anything to do with the robby his father, while the young fellow cried: bing of the paymaster at all. -"I tell you I won't stand it, and I do know what I am about. As Ajax had not attempted any disguise, :young Rogers ha rhat young fellow was a friend to me when I wanted one badrecognized him from the start, and I could not comprehend ly, and bust me if I am going to see him imposed on now." why the young rascal treated my black friend as he did. The young fellow appeared to recognize Well Rogers for the I knew right well that he was down on Ajax for having first time at the moment, and he made a sudden spring at him backed me to beat him, and I didn't suppose that he would like and caught him by the throat, as he cried, in furious tones: to be seen with the others in his own house. "This is some more of your work, Well Rogers, but I'll be As I felt perfectly safe in my own disguise, I was anxious hanged if I don't block your game if I have to go back to the to remain and learn all I could, but I did not care to get my jug for it." negro friend into serious trouble, as I dreaded that Well Rog ers would soon get some of his wild friends to attack him. CHAPTER XIV. JIIOHE LIGHT ON THE SUBJECT. When we reached the street, however, Well Rogers approach ed Ajax and addressed him in the most friendly tones, crying: "Come around to the tavern, old fellow, and have a drink, and bring your friend with you." Receiving a nudge from me Ajax accepted the offer, although he also imagined that the treacherous young rascal was layBob Ferris had scarcely seized Well Rogers when the young ing some kind of a trap for him. rugue's father sprang at him and caught him very roughly Then I thought that perhaps Well Rogers desired to be by the back of the neck, as he cried: friends with Ajax, and that he was sincere enough in his "Hang you for a fool, 'wm you ever get sober again and act present offer. like a man?" The mere fact of Mrs. James and the strangers being pres-The old man then flung Bob back and forced him into the ent in the house, and that Well Rogers was there, too, with chair with extraordinary strength, while he turned to Well I them, was something in our favor, but it was not enough .Rogers, crying: for me.

PAGE 28

A POOR IRISH BOY. 27 It was necessary to prove that others had committed the haps the people around won't think so bad of me now as they robbery for which we were arrested, and I did hope to show did." that Well Rogers was intimately acquainted with them at Ajax nodded his head and remarked: least. If we could only smuggle Bob Ferris away from his friends for a time, a great deal could be accomplished through him I firmly believed. So far as I could see the young fellow's father, if the stranger was his father, would prove to be the most dangerous customer y e t appearing on the scene as it was evident that he po s sess e d a vigorous and daring mind as well as a powerful body. After Aj a x a n d I had swallowed a harmless drink eac h a a tave rn, W e ll Rogers addressed my black friend, saying: "I suppose you f e el bad about your fi:iend Dennis Driscoll, Ajax but I want you to know that I don't bear any grudge "a-gainst you on his account." Ajax grinned and nudged me slightly as he replied in friend ly tones: "Why, see bar, Massa Rogers, I did think as how yous was down on me for backing Dennis in de fight, but that was all on the squab." Cl,apping the big negro on the shoulder in t)le most patron izing manner, young Rogers responded, saying: "That's all right, old fellow. You and him worked together and you had a perfect right to back him, but you can bet your life that he couldn' t lick me again if we had to try it over. Now that he is up for a bad job I don't believe in throwing water on him, and I am not going to, for he has a hard road to travel." Ajax coincided with the last remark, as it was not his place or our policy for him to defend me at the time. My black friend was decent enough, however, to say that he always took me for an honest boy, but that the proof against me then was too strong to be refuted. I encouraged Ajax to talk about myself and thus gain time, as I felt that it was all important for us to see more of the characters at Rogers' house. The muffl e d stranger came into the place while they were talking, and as he passed out into the street again he spoke to Well in gruff tones, saying: "Come out and take a walk with me, young fellow, as I want to see you." The young rogue hastened out as he said to Ajax in friendly tones: "I will see you again, old fellow." T would have given a good deal to have followed them at he time and listened to what they had to say, but it was more important that we should return to the house and get a chance at Bob F erris. I gave Ajax a hint or two, and he went back there again to see Mrs. James, as if forgetting the message she had given him to take up to the professor. I followed Ajax bac k to the house but I was very much dis appointed at not finding Bob Ferris there. While Ajax was receiving a se c ond message to the pro fessor, which was merely a demand on him for some money, I noticed the woman more closely, and I felt assured that she "That am so, missa; but it am mighty strange that yous son happens around here agam just about dis time. The spiteful woman started at the suggestion and stared at the big negro as she demanded: "Who do you mean by my son?" "Bob Ferris, of course." An indignant frown appeared on the woman's face as she responded: "That young wretch is not my son, although I confess that I 'was once married to his father. His father was sent to pris on long ago, and I was divorced from him. The young .rascal always hated me, and you saw how quickly he denounced me that night at the academy." The big negro grinned and nodded before he inquired: "Where am de old man now?" The woman looked cautiously around before she whispered to Ajax, saying: "He was here a short time ago, and you saw him keeping his son quiet. I don't know what they are doing up here, but they are no friends of mine now, and I would be only too glad to see the pair of them in prison again." I did not pretend to hear the words muttered, but you may be certain that they affected me very much, and I said to my self: "This spiteful, cunning woman may be only humbugging Ajax for some reason, or she may be in deadly earnest. If she is telling the truth she may be of great use to us, and we must watch her. At that moment I heard footsteps on the stairs again, and then down into the room came Bob Ferris, wearing a good overcoat, but otherwise disguised as he appeared on the night when I encountered him on the hi&h road. The young rogue passed out into the yard without taking any notice of either of us, and I could see that Ajax did not recognize him in his blac kened face, and with the gray wig and whiskers. As I was sitting near the door I could see Bob Ferris speak ing to some one out on the sidewalk, and I could notice that he was thoroughly sobered in some way. I gave slight signal to Ajax to follow me as I passed out into the yard, and the disguised young rogue walked along the street at the same time. Aft& addressing a few words to Ajax, I slipped out on the street after Bob Ferris, and when I saw him going in the direction of the depot, I said to myself : "He is going to leave the village, and now is my time to be at him." I moved along after Bol:! Ferris in a careless manner, and I knew that Ajax would not be far behind me in case of trouble. The young rogue had not proceeded far along the deserted streets when he met Well Rogers and his muffled father, and he stopped to speak to them. Then I was more surprised than ever to see Bob Ferris shak ing hands with young Rogers in the most friendly manner, while I slipped behind the fence to watch them. was in an impoverished state. The three friends did not remain together, as Bob Ferris Then I reasoned that she could not have been implicated kept on his way in the direction of the depot, while his father with those who had robbed the paymaster, and that her young and Well Rogers returned toward the house. rogue of a son was not in that business either. Ajax soon met the latter, and Well Rogers addressed him,, Then who could it have been that the paymaster had recog-crying: nized as r esembling me so much, both in voice and in ap"Going home, old fellow?" pearance? While I was pondering over the question Ajax was speaking to Mrs. James about the robbery, and the spiteful woman said of me: "That Dennis Driscoll was a smart young fellow to get out o f the scrape the other time and throw the blame on me, but I knew that he would get found out in the long run, and per"Yes sab, replied my black friend, as he passed on. I hastened along behind the fence keeping Bob Ferris In sight, and I soon joined Ajax as he turned out of a street lead ing toward the depot. "What am you after dat old coon for?" inquired Ajax, as I stepped on by his side. "Why, that is Bob Ferris," (replied, "and I am going to ar-

PAGE 29

I 28 A POOR IRISH BOY. rest him and take him up to the stable until we grab the old man, also." Ajax stared at me and grinned from ear to ear, as he re joined: "You must be crazy. I just seed de young fellow talking to Mrs. James in de kitchen before I left, and he was having a row with her in de back room afore he came out." I was startled by the words of the big negro, as I knew he was a keen f e llow and not easily m istaken. As we hastened along after the man I took to be Bob Ferris, I made up my mind as to what we should do, and Ajax agreed with me It was very evident that the fellow was hastening to de pot, and I knew that a train passed for New York in about fifteen minutes. Pretending to be going in the same direction Ajax and I has tened on together, and as we neared the depot he started on a run, as he cried back to me: "Hurry up, ole man, or you will lose de train. I did hurry up, and we were soon on .the stranger, who did not appear to entertain the least suspicio of our move ments. As we were passing the fellow I suddenly put out my leg to trip him up, and Ajax gave him a shove from behind at the same moment. We then pounced on him and proceeded to bind anc gag him, while I hissed into his ear, saying: "I am an officer from New York, and I am after you, Bob The young rogue gave a defiant laugh, and then replied in sneering tones: "You are pretty smart, but I can just tell you that you ain't got Bob Ferris yet. I wasn't sure on that point myself, as I thought of several things while Ajax was away that puzzled me very much in deed. In the first place, the real Bob Ferris was quite drunk half an hour before, and the fellow before me was as sober as a judge. The prisoner appeared to be on very friendly terms wiC1 Well Rogers, while the real Bob Ferris had attacked him in the room back of the kitchen. Then Ajax was still positive that he saw and heard Bo b Ferris just before leaving the kitchen, while I had the prisoner in sight at the same moment out in the street
PAGE 30

A POOR IRISH BOY. 29 jax excused himself for coming back by saying that he had essage from the professor to Mrs. James. e. were then led into the back room by the cook where "Hold back with Mr. Townsend until you see me set on the old stranger." I noticed that several strangers approached the spot at the found Mrs. James seated as if in deep thought. same time, some of whom spoke to Marcus Townsend, and I jax at once offered her the money, saying: knew that they were connected with the railroad. De professor sent dat, missab." The old stranger and bis son walked along arm in arm, and efore the woman could make a suitable reply, Bob Ferris as I drew near them I could bear the old fellow saying in gruff ered the room as if coming from the floor above. tones: be young rogue was in a still more maudlin state than "You ought to be ashamed of yourself to go on this way, en we first saw him, but some one had managed to color when you have such good reason for keeping straight, bang face again so that he had all the appearance of a negro of rty. n being assured that I had now the real Bob Ferris to deal h, I made up my mind that we would arrest him and the man as well, and yet I did not feel inclined to be too hard the young fellow after having served him once. hetber be was engaged in the robbery or not, he could be back to prison as an escaped convict, and I bated to be y him ir it could be avoided. rs. James took the money sent to her by her husband, and er informing Ajax that she would go to New York as early possible ,in the morning, she said to him: 'I want you to tell Professor James for me, if anything hap ns up here, that I have nothing to do with the man who s once my husband, or with his son either. He will under n
PAGE 31

30 A POOR IRISH BOY. the young fellow who was supposed to be on his way to New York at the moment. I was very eager to get a good look at the old prisoner, and I soon tore the hat and scarf from his head as I cried: "Let me get a good look at you anyhow." Each and all of us present did get a good look at him, and then the paymaster was the first to cry out: "What a fool I have been to accuse honest Dennis Driscoll and his father when this is the old man that robbed me the other night." "He looks exactly like your father," cried Ma,rcus Townsend, as the brave young fellow clasped my hand in glee. Daylight was breaking on the affair at last, more especially when it was found that the old prisoner had a large sum ot money about him, as well as a breast-pin which the paymaster recognized as his own. CHAPTER XVI. MORE LIGHT STILL. When we reached a spot where nobody could hear us, I could hear him sigh heavlly before he said to me: "M! boy, I have something to tell you, and you must keep it a secret forever, even from your mother and sister." I felt what was coming, and I asked: "Is it about the prisoner, father?" "It is, my son. That poor fellow is my own brother, and Heaven forgive him, it is the second time that he has got me into a scrape without his knowing it." "Can you tell me what happened, sir?" "I can and I will, and I hope it will be a lesson to you while you live." My father sighed again, and pressed my hand before he com menced, saying: "When I a very young man, living with my father on a small farm in Ireland, I had a brother just one year older than myself, and that was the man you saw to-day. "I was wild enough, but he was a little worse than I was, as he took to smuggling, and poaching, and other things against the English law. "It was often remarked then that we looked very much like each other, but we didn't often go round together. "One night as I was going home from a fair a couple of poThe arrest of the three strangers was the talk of the town !icemen met me on the road and tried to take me prisoner, on the following day, and many people declared that I was a swearing that I had recently killed a man near the coast. regular hero. Knowing that I was innocent, and not thinking of my brother I hastened to my father early on the following morning, anc at the time, I became very angry, and set on them with a I had a long talk with my mother before going to the jail. heavy stick I carried. When I told my father about the arrest of the man who re"I soon laid one of them senseless, and I gave the other such sembled him so much I saw that he became fearfully excited, a beating that he did not recover from it for some time after. but he did't say a word to me by way of explanation until we Then the hue-and-cry was out after me in earnest, as I had the were on our way home. double charge against me. My father was also released on bail, the paymaster himself "Before I reached my home I began to comprehend that it offering to go his security. was my brother who was in the scrape, as he was a smuggler The three prisoners wouid not say a word about themselves and inclined to be at war with the coastguards. at first, but Bob Ferris made a sort of a confession on the "As I thought the world of that brother at the time, and as night after his arrest, and while he was suffering from nervI knew that I was in for it for beating the officers anyhow, I ous prostration brought on by his spree. told my father that I was in for two scrapes, and I made off The young rogue then told Mr. Townsend and the justice of to another part of the country, where I took the name of Dristhe peace in my presence that the old rogue was his father, coll." and that the young fellow first arrested by us was his twin "Then that is not your real name, father," I said, in some brother. surprise. The three prisoners were soon recognized by two officers "It is not, my son, but it is the only one you will ever know from New York as famous criminals in that city, and the old from me. From the time I left home until the present day, I man had traveled under several names. never saw any of my people again. I married your mother Bob Ferris could not or would not implicate young Well Rog-in the strange place and she does not know my real name ers in the robbery, nor would he admit that his father and either." brother had anything to do with it, while he did say in an"What are you going to do now, father?" swei: to a question: "I want you to see the poor fellow on the quiet, and to h, "The night. I struck this village after my escape from prison him to keep his mouth shut about my being his brother, as I I got on a f'pree, which I have been on ever since. I didn't know he will Tell him for me, also, to mend his ways herehave anything to do with the robbery, and I couldn't tell who after if he gets out of prison again, or I will be sorry that I had." took his blame on my shoulders long ago in Ireland." Well F\.ogers saw fit to c lear out of the village early on the I did manage to see my uncle on the following day, and 1 folliwing morning, and it was whispered about that he was gave him my father's message. afraid of the prisoners blowing on him. He then solemnly assured me that he had never had a day's When my father and the old prisoner were brought face to luck since my father had to fly for his first crime, that he face I saw that they both turned pale as death, but neither thought that he was dead long years before, and that he would of.them said a word at the time. cut off his right hand before he would have him punished During the eii;amination, and when the two men stood side again for his crimes. by side, it became still more apparent that they bore a remark"But did you not know that some one looking like you was able resemblance to each other. arrested for robbing the paymaster?" I asked. We had a little rejoicing in our humble home that night, "To be sure I heard that a man named Driscoll and his son many of the neighbors coming in to congratulate us on our were arrested on the charge, but how could I imagine that i esca.pe. was my own brother and his son, as I didn't think that yo I could see that my father was very depressed during the were in the land of the living at all and under a false name.' whole evening, and I felt in my heart that he had recognized "But you knew that we were innocent, sir," I protested, "an the prisoner as _a near relation. I know that Bob wanted you to spare me, at least, because When the neighbors had all retired from our cabin, my gave him a little life the night I met him out on the road." father put on his hat and coat and asked me to take a walk A savage imprecation. burst from the man on the instan with him. and he then replied:

PAGE 32

A POOR IRISH BOY. 31! "That's true enough, but I thought that the young fool was and at about the same time the Townsends moved to New York king too much for a stranger, and now see who threw the city, where the old gentleman opened another law office. uspicion on you first. What has young Rogers against you, I I went with him as his clerk, and I then entered a law ould like to know?" school to finish myself for the profession. I then told my unfortunate uncle how old Rogers and his From the very night when I had last seen Well Rogers in on had persecuted us, and how I had retaliated by giving the the village I felt assured that we would meet again at no disoung rascal a good drubbing. tant day. The prisoner reflected for some moments with an ugly scowl I was also assured that the young rascal was criminally conn his brow before he spoke again in gentler tones, as he said nected with my uncle and cousins, and it would come out o me: "The scrape I first got into long ago in Ireland made me hat I am to-day; but I never turned on a comrade, and 1 ever will. If I ever get out of this scrape I promise you to ive the Rogers a dose, and they won't know that it was on our account, either." "But won't you promise to be a good man, sir, as my father some day, when we would fight the last battle that was ever to be fought between us. CHAPTER XVII. SQUARING UP ACCOUNTS. ks you?" "f will, I will. g to do." My father succeeded admirably on a farm he purchased in Tell me about you all, and what you are go-the West, not a great many miles from the city of Chicago, and there my sister bloomed into womanhood. I then told him that my father had made up his mind to go ut West, as he did not care to remain in a place where hac en twice accused of robbery. I tried to get out of him if young Rogers was criminally en ged with him or his son, but he would not give me clear swers on that point. He admitted that Mrs. James was his wife long ago in New ork, that they never lived happily together, and that she ave him up when he was arrested for a burglary which she ad reap ed the benefit of. I then told him about my first meeting with Mrs. James in ew York city, and how she had hated me when I went to ork at the academy. My uncle then promised to do all In his power toward clear g us, and he kept his word to the very letter and beyond it. He confessed on his trial that himself and his son James ad robbed the paymaster, and that Bob had nothing to do ith the affair, as he was on a bad spree at the time, which as also proved by other witnesses. The old fellow and his son were convicted, but Bob never ent back to Sing Sing again as he managed to escape from e county jail on the day after the trial. The robbery and the arrest brought about through me gave e quite a reputation in the neighborhood, and several of the ost influential citizens offered to befriend me. I declined all offers thus made, but I was compelled to ac pt the reward offered for the arrest of the real robbers, as I not want to create suspicion as to our connection by re it. ;'oung Well Rogers did not appear in the village again after at night, and his father sold out his business and went)to vein New York soon after. Mrs. James was not seen in the village again either, and the ofessor declared that he would not give her any more as stance. Ajax was a happy man on the day when I presented him "th half of the reward given me by the railroad company, bil e the good fellow protested that he did not earn any of it, d that I was entitled to the fame and the money for the anner in which I set about capturing the robbers. Edna James was delighted at my second triumph and vindi tion but she was very much mortified when it leaked out at her step-mother was mixed up with the robbers again. She soon induced her father to sell out the academy, when ey both moved out West together, and they settled in a vil e near where my folks resided. Let it not be supposed that my career thereafter was an easy e, as I had still plenty to do in fighting the battle of life, al-ough I had good friends to back me. I remained at the academy after it changed hands, and I II kept on working for MJ. Townsend. At the end of two years I graduated from the institution, Mary worked hard and studied harder. and when she was twenty she was the pride of us all, and very admired bY. the young men in the neighborhood. Young Marcus Townsend became a full-fledged lawyer about one year before I did, and he then went away to settle in Chi cago, where a good opening was presented for him through his father. I remained with the old gentleman in New York city for about a year after I was admitted to the bar, but I must say that I did not get many clients on my own account in the over crowded city. Mr. Townsend became anxious to join his son in the West, and Marcus urged me to go on also, offering to take me into partnership in his ever-increasing business. I accepted the generous offer, ana I hastened out West with old Mr. Townsend, who then made up his mind to retire from aGtive business. Marcus and myself prospered very well at first, but we soon met with some reverses by engaging in land speculations, and we ,had to commence the world ovet again, as we both declin ed to receive aid in money from the good old lawyer. In the meantime I was informed that Marcus and my sister had become deeply attached to each other, and when we were succeeding again Mary became the wife of my dear friend and partner. After arriving in the West I often met Edna James at my father's house, as that young lady was Mary's confidential friend. Edna was the same kind-hearted creature as ever, and she assisted in supporting her old father, who had become almost a wreck. When I saw my way clear toward making a good business again, and when we had paid the debts which we had formed by our failure in the land speculation, I asked Edna James to become my wife, and she readily consented. Some five years after Edna became my wife she came to the office one day in a very excited manner and said to me: "My wicked step-mother has just been to the house, and she is troubling father." The old professor was living with us ever since our mar riage, and he had a great of ever seeing his former wife again. I endeavored to calm my wife, and to assure her that I would soon dispose of the troublesome old woman. On the following day a handsome gentleman about my own age, wearing a full dark beard, entered the office and requested a private interview with me. I granted the request on the instant, as there was some thing in the tones of the man's TOice that had attracted me to ward him. "Mr. Driscoll do you not recognize me?" Drawing back a little coldly, I replied:

PAGE 33

32 A POOR IRISH BOY. "I think I do recognize you, sir, and I would lik;e to know what you want with me?" A proud flush overspread the stranger's face, and he drew himself up as he replied: "I would like you to understand, Mr. Driscoll, that I am not the same kind of a person you knew when you were living in Middleville. Are you certain that you know me without any mistake?" "I am certain that you are the person I once knew as Bob Ferris." The stranger smiled again, and he then went on, saying in "While I am not at all spiteful, I deem that it is my c bring Well Rogers to justice, and to settle my old accour him. I will undertake the case, and I will go to wor with a heart and a half." I did enter into the case with a will, as I was most a to have a last encounter with Well Rogers. I also learned from Bob Ferris that old Rogers had New York a year before, and that the old fellow ha been connected with the criminal gang. On returning to my home that night I found Mrs. there before me, and my wife was entertaining the s manly tones: woman in a civil manner. "No; I am the person you knew as Bob Ferris, but I would The woman was plaguing the life out of the old pro like you to understand that I have led an honest life ever since and she was striving to force her way into our house as r escaped from the county jail that night. I have been out in mate for a special purpose of her own. California, where I have made a great deal of money in the That purpose was to ruin me, if possible, and to bre mines, and I am here now on a little bhsiness." our happy home. "I am glad to hear that you have led an honest life," I re-After supper was over I quietly summoned a detect,'. plied. fleer, and I then invdted the spiteful creature into a i; "Yes, I have," he repeated, "and I must thank you for put-room to have a plain talk. ting me in the way of doing it." The woman held her head very high at first and defie "What has become of your father and brother?" stating that she knew nothing about Well Rogers or A dark frown appeared on the handsome face of the man associates who were then in prison. as he replied: The detective I had summoned was engaged in the cas1 : "It is about them that I came to see you, and I want to tell ing the whole afternoon and evening, and he was well P i you at once that they have got into trouble here in this city." ed to bring proof enough against the woman to send ) I my shoulders a little, saying: prison for ten years at least. "I hope you didn't come to me to defend them." I will not describe the stormy interview I had with "I did. My father and brother have been only out of the wicked creature, but I will state that I subdued her New York prison three months. They came out here to try when I produced the detective to arrest her on a sJ and lead new lives, when they again fell in .with some old as-charge. sociates, who have got them into a bad scrape." She then made a thorough confession and implored fo 1 Something struck me at the moment that Mrs. James was cy in the most abject manner. one of the old friends alluded to, and I inquired: By means of that confession we arrested Well "Did I know the people who got your father and brother Jnto very night, and secured clear proofs of his guilt at the this trouble?" time. "You did. They wld age, and he often declared he was proud of his only son, but he would never tell m real name, although I often requested that he would do so For my experience in this great land of ours, I am ce that the road to fame and fortune is open to all who purs with perseverance, industry, and honor, and thousands thousands can boast of the same experience as THE PooR BOY. THE END.